A WILDER LAND USE FRAMEWORK
We need a bolder, wilder vision to restore nature across 30% of England’s land by 2030.
Right now, the UK Government is running a consultation to hear what people think about their vision for England’s land – the first-ever Land Use Framework.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to push for a bolder vision for England’s land. One that secures a wilder, greener and more resilient future.
The UK Government’s current proposals only consider change across 12.7% of land. That leaves a huge chunk of land out of discussions – almost 90% of England – which could be vital for nature restoration.
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REWILDING BRITAIN’S RESPONSE TO THE LAND USE CONSULTATION
The Land Use Framework is an exciting opportunity to shape England’s land use over the next 25 years. It’s about how and where we grow our food, how we best adapt to climate change, and how we might restore nature and rewild our landscapes. But right now, it only considers change across 12.7% of our land, leaving 87%‘out of scope’.
To meet the UK Government’s pledge to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030, and its promise to reverse the decline of our biodiversity, we must do more.
We depend on nature for food, clean water and air, and can’t keep taking from the land without giving back. It’s time to dedicate more land to nature’s recovery, while balancing the needs of farming, timber, carbon capture, housing and energy.
WHAT IS THE LAND USE FRAMEWORK?
Using the most sophisticated land use data ever published, the Land Use Framework will guide local councils, landowners, businesses, farmers and nature groups in making decisions about England’s land.
It aims to help balance the different demands on our land, like restoring nature, producing food and building homes. Currently the UK Government is consulting on what it might include, with the intention of publishing a final version later this year.
Read Rewilding Britain's Consultation response
Download pdf87%
of land left out of England’s Land Use Framework
WHAT REWILDING BRITAIN IS CALLING FOR
- Put nature in the frame: Create a new land use category of natural process-led across 30% of land, where the primary outcomes are nature, climate and environmental benefits. Within these land areas will be the creation of:
- 25%: Semi-wild Areas where nature and people thrive together with sustainable forestry and farming, ecotourism and nature-based enterprises.
- 5%: Core Rewilding Areas where nature is allowed to fully recover, creating vibrant and healthy mosaics of native woodlands, peatlands, wetlands and other habitats filled with life.
- We need a vision for ALL land: 100% of England’s land needs to be considered for its best purpose in the framework, not just a tiny fraction of 12.7%. We must consider the best role and purpose of our land as we seek to adapt to climate change and restore nature’s remarkable web of life. Some areas need to be multi-functional, like agroforestry with trees between crops on the same land.
- Define land use by what we need from land: Whether it’s for healthier ecosystems and climate mitigation, food production, timber and wood products, or homes and infrastructure, land should be defined by more than the current three categories: urban, agricultural and non-agricultural.
