Roger Mortlock, chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, comments on the publication of the UK government's long-awaited Land Use Framework for England.
Sirs,
The Land Use Framework for England sets out how we can use our land more effectively following the consultation that took place from January to April 2025, and promises serious integration across government departments which could help ensure we finally make the most of our finite supply of land.
We welcome the review of the Agricultural Land Classification and greater transparency of resources including the Land Registry and National Soil Map. Enhanced safeguards for farmland are also encouraging at a time when demand for land has never been more acute.
But even the best intentions won't change the fact that every hectare of land is being pulled in multiple directions.
Economic growth should not be prioritised at any cost to the countryside. How tradeoffs are managed locally and nationally - and the degree to which the framework is integrated with other spatial strategies - will be key to its success.
The UK is facing a land crunch of unprecedented proportions. We can overcome it, but delivery matters as much as ambition.
Roger Mortlock
Chief executive,
CPRE
