CPRE responds to Land Use Framework consultation

CPRE has submitted its response to the government’s consultation on a new Land Use Framework for England.

The government launched a 12-week ‘national conversation’ in February to gather views from farmers, landowners, businesses, and environmental groups. CPRE has long called for a national land use strategy and welcomes this opportunity to take a more joined-up approach to managing land.

In our response, we support the framework as a way to improve decision-making and involve the public more in land issues. We stress the importance of sustainable development—living within environmental limits and enhancing nature rather than depleting it.

We also highlight the need for fairer development across England, balancing growth between the crowded South and under-served Midlands and North.

While the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan has made a good start, we identify three key priorities for the new framework:

1. Protect greenfield land: Prioritise brownfield development and strengthen protection for high-quality farmland.
2. Better manage urban fringes: Invest more in peri-urban areas, including the Green Belt.
3. Enhance protected landscapes: Improve nature, dark skies, tranquillity, and public access.

We call for the framework to be updated every five years, with clear targets and leadership from an independent body, and better alignment between farming, planning, and local authority strategies.

We look forward to seeing the final framework later this year, shaping future farming, land management, and planning policies.