July 2026
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This conference considered the way forward for managing competing demands on land use in England, examining key issues following the Government’s recently published Land Use Framework for England.
It brought together stakeholders and policymakers to assess issues including setting priorities for land use and balancing competing demands, application of the Framework’s principles in practice across sectors, and arrangements for decision-making, co-ordination and accountability. It came with concerns being raised around implementation, responsibilities and a need for clearer incentives, despite stakeholders generally welcoming the vision.
We expected discussion on priorities for the new Land Use Unit in Defra to co-ordinate delivery and integration with wider policy. Further sessions in the agenda focused on long-term planning for the 2030 and 2050 milestones set out in the Framework.
Balancing multifunctional use, environmental concerns & sustainability
As the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry into land use and nature continues, delegates examined strategic approaches to implementation of the Framework’s proposals for co-ordinated and multifunctional landscapes. The agenda drew out latest thinking on questions around balancing food production, nature recovery, housing and energy infrastructure - and on practical frameworks for cross-sector working to utilise the strengths of the land.
Aims for 7% of land to be allocated for nature and renewables were considered. Areas for discussion included the incentives and levers needed to support this, timings and conditions for renewable developments, the application of biodiversity regulations and Environmental Impact Assessments, as well as funding and support mechanisms - particularly for tenant and smaller farms.
The agenda looked at practical delivery mechanisms to support multifunctional land-use outcomes, including approaches to funding, prioritisation, and compensation, as well as the potential impact of accelerated housing and infrastructure delivery on higher-quality agricultural land.
Delegates also assessed models for co-location - such as agrivoltaics - drawing on emerging evidence from pilot projects, alongside the role of private finance, insurance, and market-based instruments in supporting multifunctional farming systems, taking account of differences in tenure, farm size, and location.
Key Framework principles, co-ordination & delivery
Delegates examined the four new land use principles set out in the Framework - covering approaches to making best use of land, protecting environmental assets, supporting food production, and contributing to climate and nature targets - and their application at national and local levels. Discussion focused on the interpretation of these principles in practice, alongside arrangements for cross-department co-ordination, clarity of roles, and mechanisms for identifying and addressing potential conflicts at an early stage.
Further consideration was given to governance arrangements for land-use decisions and how different priorities are managed in practice. This included co-ordination between productive farmland, food security objectives, legally binding nature and climate targets, adaptation and risk management, and planning and infrastructure priorities, as well as approaches to improving consistency and predictability in decision-making across different areas and sectors.
Planning, infrastructure & community engagement
The agenda also examined how the Framework can be effectively embedded within planning and infrastructure processes - focusing on community engagement and place-based planning, managing pressures from housing and the energy transition, and the role of data and decision-support in guiding land-use choices.
We expected discussion to reflect concerns over how the Framework can effectively influence land-use decisions in the absence of statutory weight. Delegates also examined its interaction with existing and proposed planning policy - including revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework, the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and new spatial plans - as well as implications for local authorities, developers, regulators, and local communities.
The way that community priorities can be considered within place-based planning was discussed - alongside practical approaches to engagement, co-ordination and managing competing pressures. This included addressing issues around housing growth, the energy transition and solar developments, as well as how transport and local services are weighed alongside other land-use priorities.
Data, tools & innovation
Further discussion explored the role of data, decision-support tools, and monitoring at local and national levels. The use and updating of land classification and biodiversity datasets were explored, as well as development of accessible tools for planners and land managers.
Further discussion was expected on the use of technology to improve the collection and sharing of land data, alongside monitoring arrangements to help identify and mitigate unintended impacts on soils, habitats, or productive land.
As well as key stakeholders, those attending included parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament and officials from the Climate Change Committee; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; Department for Education; Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Environment Agency; Great British Energy; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Defence; National Audit Office; Office for Environmental Protection; Homes England; Isle of Man Government; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
