Have you taken the opportunity to have your say? In this post we review the purpose of the framework and consider what it could mean for developers.
What is the UK Land Use Framework?
The UK Government is currently consulting on a Land Use Framework, aiming to create a more strategic and sustainable approach to how land is allocated and used across England and aligning with the return of regional planning. This initiative seeks to balance competing demands for land, including housing, agriculture, nature conservation, and climate change mitigation, setting a vision to:
- Make space for nature recovery, water, and emissions reduction.
- Support sustainable and resilient food and energy production.
- Deliver new infrastructure and housing.
- Fix the foundations for resilient long-term economic growth.
- Co-create plans for delivery.
The Land Use Framework will interact with other plans such as the Environmental Improvement Plan, the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan and driving the Government’s ambition to build 1.5 million new homes.
Considerations:
- Greater Clarity and Certainty – A national framework could provide clearer guidance on where new developments are most likely to be supported, reducing planning uncertainty.
- Streamlined Planning Processes – If implemented well, a more coordinated approach could help speed up decision-making and reduce delays in securing planning permissions.
- Uncertainty During Transition – While the framework is still being consulted on, along with the current restructuring of local and regional planning, it could create uncertainty in the short term delaying projects or investment decisions.
- Infrastructure and Land Use Synergy – Aligning development with infrastructure planning (roads, utilities, public transport) could make new developments more viable and attractive, unlocking stalled sites and delivering on the Government’s pledge to ‘Get Britain Building’.
- Encouragement for Sustainable Development – With sustainable development at the core of planning and delivering growth there may be added incentives for eco-friendly developments.
- Increased nature recovery can support greater resilience within developments to floods, drought and heat. Nature is essential for economic and business security.
- Greater Environmental Protection – The framework may lead to more protected areas. This could reduce available land, making sites scarcer and potentially more expensive.
- Stronger Environmental and Net Zero Requirements – Developers may face higher sustainability standards, increasing build costs and complexity.
Key Takeaways for Developers
- Engage with the consultation process – This is a chance to influence policy to ensure the framework supports rather than restricts development delivery.
- Be aware of the potential for higher sustainability expectations – Factor in the likelihood of increasing requirements for green standards.
- Monitor land availability – Changes in land use designation could impact long-term site acquisition strategies.
- Adapt to evolving planning policies – Being proactive in aligning with national and regional strategies will be key to securing planning approvals.
- See the opportunities for business support of greater nature recovery
The consultation is open until 25 April with publication anticipated this year. Have your say here.