'Increasing multitude of pressures': National approach to land use 'more pressing than ever', campaigners say

Experts say a national approach to land use can unite environment and economy
Experts say a national approach to land use can unite environment and economy

A case for a national approach to land use is more pressing than ever, according to the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).

CPRE has said that England’s land is under an 'increasing multitude of pressures', from the drive for economic growth to the effects of climate change.

The current approach is often seen as fragmentary, with dozens of different organisations responsible for different issues.

CPRE, in its new pamphlet ‘Landlines: why we need a strategic approach to land’, says this is failing to address the problems caused by often conflicting demands: environmental degradation, rising costs and harm to health and wellbeing.

The ‘Landlines’ pamphlet brings together a number of experts to argue for greater national coordination on land use, a longer term approach that can enhance both the environment and the economy.

'Department of Land Use'

Sir Terry Farrell CBE, architect and urban planner, says proper planning of land use is a top priority for the very survival of humans in the long term
Sir Terry Farrell CBE, architect and urban planner, says proper planning of land use is a top priority for the very survival of humans in the long term

Architect Sir Terry Farrell, UK Committee on Climate Change Chair Lord Deben, and Chair of the Woodland Trust Baroness Young are among those who propose different national solutions for how England should use its land.

Suggestions for better land use include a Government ‘Department of Land Use’ (Lord Deben); more involvement from the public in defining the value they get from land (Helen Meech); and using the opportunities provided by Brexit to rethink England's use of agricultural land (Baroness Parminter).

Belinda Gordon, head of government and rural affairs at the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: “Amidst the rush towards global competition and unrestrained economic growth, a national approach to how we use the land is more important than ever.

“We are making big decisions in isolation, and not thinking about what kind of wider pressures individual developments bring – to the land, the climate, the economy and our health and wellbeing.

“A national land use strategy would bring treasury and infrastructure officials on board with environmentalists, and replace piecemeal erosion of the countryside with exciting projects and community trust.

“Green transport networks, natural flood defences, sustainable housing developments, local food systems, more accessible parks: these can all be delivered if we get organisations working to the same ends through a national plan for the land.”

'Top priority'

Sir Terry Farrell CBE, architect and urban planner, said: “Pollution, climate change and the ever increasing reduction in natural species, as well as human city-making on an unprecedented scale, have made the proper planning of land use a top priority for our very survival in the long term.

“The scale, complexity and seriousness of these issues mean we cannot any longer proceed as before, treating land as a disposable asset. We have now got to plan proactively for rapid and radical change.”

On the issue of climate change and its impact on land, research has found that there could be an increase in the risk of the human diet being deficient in a vital mineral found in agricultural land named 'selenium'.

This deficiency could contribute to problems such as poor immune function, impaired thyroid function and heart muscle issues – Rothamsted Research said.

Selenium is an essential micronutrient, or mineral, for human and livestock health that is found in the soil via the crops. Low selenium intake is thought to affect up to one billion people worldwide.

The UK Government has brought forwards ways in which to help land use better managed.

Last month, Wales announced over £18m worth of funding for a sustainable land management scheme, Glastir Advanced.