A new approach to managing the UK’s land will be vital to meet the challenges of the 21st century, according to the latest report from Foresight, the Government’s futures think tank.
‘Land Use Futures’ looks at how landscapes and land use could change in the UK over the next 50 years. It concludes that the present way the land system is managed in the UK will need to change. There are already pressures on land, but these will intensify in parts of the country, such as in the South East of England. Shortages in critical public goods – such as water supply, biodiversity, carbon sinks and urban green space – could result unless carefully managed.
The report, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Communities and Local Government (CLG), outlines the findings of an extensive two-year study involving over 300 experts in subjects ranging from ecology, economics, planning and geography.
Findings include ‘Where we are now’:
The best UK landscapes are a great source of pride. Visions of community and countryside are deeply entrenched in our culture. Historically and architecturally interesting landscapes have been retained and protected and concern for the natural environment is a high priority for many people.
But there are also key concerns for society: having enough space to live, whether travel congestion will get worse and having affordable, clean energy.
The governance system has sought to balance these concerns. Historical objectives to contain urban sprawl, to ensure enough land is available for food production, and to provide green spaces for people to enjoy, have largely been met.
These objectives have resulted in the patterns of land use seen today. Just under 12% of UK land is forest and woodland. Less than 10% of land in England is ‘developed’ (including gardens). And almost three quarters of land in the UK is used for agriculture. There is also evidence of significant misconceptions about how land is used, and people’s ideas about land use are often in conflict.
The scale of the challenges identified in the report means that Government and the land use community need to take stock. There are critical choices to be made now, including:
· What values and societal expectations need to be met and what are the priorities for land use, including in different parts of the country;
· How to accommodate the increasing need for residential and commercial development whilst also protecting highly valued landscapes and natural assets;
· Whether to try to preserve certain historic natural environments and ancient forests in the face of climate change, or to manage change in these;
· How to promote sustainable management of land, owned by private individuals; and how to engage people and communities on questions related to the future use of land whilst also addressing national priorities.
