Land use framework must support rural innovation, says CLA
As the government announces a consultation on the principles that will underpin a land use framework, CLA President Victoria Vyvyan says it should encourage and not prescribe change
A future land use framework must support farming and environmental innovation, encourage rural develop and help businesses diversify, says CLA President Victoria Vyvyan as the government announces a consultation.
The consultation starts the process of developing the foundation that will underpin a final land use framework, which the government says will set out the principles, advanced data and tools to support decision-making by local government, landowners, businesses, farmers and nature groups. The framework supports the government’s missions to deliver new housebuilding, energy infrastructure and new towns.
Workshops will take place across England to gather the insights and views of farmers and landowners, which will be used in the development of the framework.
In a speech, Defra Secretary Steve Reed said the framework will not telling people what to do and would “reflect the actual lived experiences of farmers, landowners and planners on the ground”.
CLA President Victoria Vyvyan says: “Whenever the state gets involved, its tendency is to only become ever more prescriptive. Today, the framework might be light touch, but tomorrow it won't be.
“The government must build safeguards into the policy to prevent mission creep, or else it is entirely possible that in years to come, the man from the ministry will be telling farmers what they are and aren't allowed to grow, plant and rear on their land. That will be unacceptable."
She adds:
Land managers are central to the delivery of the government’s policies for climate, nature, food security, housing and energy, and are in the best position to know what is right for their land and business. A land use framework must not stifle farming or environmental innovation, or prevent rural development and business diversification.
“To be most effective, the framework should remain separate from planning policy, with links made through the Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) currently being developed across the country. It will achieve the best outcomes by collaborating with land managers to provide economically viable options for land use.
“The review needs to be evidence-based and focus on improving existing processes, so that it encourages but does not prescribe change.”
The CLA will respond to the consultation, which will run for 12 weeks. The final framework is expected to be published later in the year.
More detailed analysis on the consultation will be provided by CLA experts shortly.