Government’s first published land use framework maps how land is used and how it can be adapted to meet changing needs
About 7% of England’s land – an area roughly two-and-a-half times the size of Cornwall – will need to be given over to nature, forests and renewable energy, to meet the UK’s environmental targets, new data shows.
But there will still be enough land to grow the food needed, and to house a growing population, according to the government’s first land use framework, published on Wednesday.
Ministers hope to take some of the heat out of debates over housing development v nature protection, by mapping in detail for the first time how England’s land is used and how it can be adapted to meet changing needs. Current land use is “highly inefficient”, they have said.
Under new rules, a “default yes” will be given to housing developments within walking distance of existing train stations. Housebuilders will also be told to include ponds, wetlands and improved urban drainage schemes in their developments, to combat the rising risk of flooding.
