England should give over 7% of land to nature and renewables to meet environmental targets, data shows

2026-03-18 - 14:50

Government’s first published land use framework maps how land is used and how it can be adapted to meet changing needs About 7% of England’s land – an area roughly two-and-a-half times the size of Cornwall – will need to be given over to nature, forests and renewable energy, to meet the UK’s environmental targets, new data shows. But there will still be enough land to grow the food needed, and to house a growing population, according to the government’s first “land use framework”, published on Wednesday. Placing a high priority on restoring peatland, all but 13% of which is degraded across England, but this will not include an outright ban on development such as wind or solar farms. Encouraging the “multi use” of land, for instance with livestock grazing alongside wind and solar farms, and wildlife protection and nature restoration on arable land. Encouraging local authorities to put nature reserves in urban areas as well as in the countryside. Grouse moors to come under closer scrutiny and tighter regulation, which will go further than EU rules. No new “right to roam” is included in the framework, but there will be a consultation on “making landowner liability more proportionate”, which could open up areas for public access. A national soil map will be published. A new “land use unit” will be established. Government planning for changes to the UK’s landscape under global heating of 2C above preindustrial levels, and of much higher heating of 4C. Continue reading...