We must land on a strategy for our most precious resource

Delivering a framework 

The government’s intended strategic land use framework (LUF) aimed to include four key pillars:

❏ Establish national priorities and targets for land use.
❏ Provide a strategic, spatial approach to coordinate decisions across national, regional, and local levels.
❏ Engage a wide range of stakeholders, from landowners to local communities.
❏ Integrate data, science, and innovation to enable evidence-based decision-making.

It was intended as a comprehensive policy to support the country’s net zero and biodiversity targets, as well as help farmers adapt to a changing climate. But the development of the LUF has faced a series of delays and internal reviews 
within the government, missing its original target of publication in 2023.

The scope of the LUF has now been scaled back, with the government confirming it will be “essentially guidance” rather than a more prescriptive and integrated framework. Tellingly, It also does not appear to fully integrate all key land uses, such as infrastructure, housing and transport, beyond the remit of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). This more limited approach will be less effective.

The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have taken steps forward with their own frameworks but England lacks a comprehensive national framework. Developing one is now crucial in bridging the divide between national planning regimes as well as bringing together different disciplines of research, data, and evidence to inform decision-making.

Data-driven decisions

The UK possesses high-quality geospatial and land use data, enhanced by earth observation technologies and recent advances in machine learning and AI. Yet, we have not fully capitalised on these resources. A March 2023 government report recommended establishing a Land Use Analysis Taskforce3 to consolidate this data to support informed decision-making.

Optimising land use isn’t about increasing output per acre but about maximising value. This means using technology to take a hard look at the optimum outcomes from our land - in terms of energy production, biodiversity conservation, timber growth, food production, and development - and finding the right balance between them. 

Strategic, not piecemeal

Large institutional landowners like Royal London, who recently acquired 21,000 acres from the South Yorkshire Pension Authority, have a critical role. This acquisition provides Royal London with a versatile portfolio to boost agricultural output while employing new environmental strategies.

This is the type of strategic approach we need across the UK. Instead of managing land in a piecemeal fashion, we should evaluate the synergies and trade-offs between different uses and make evidence-based decisions. 

And that’s where large institutional landowners like Royal London have a real advantage. They have the resources and expertise to bring together diverse data sources, cutting-edge research, and stakeholder input to inform their land use decisions.

Developing and implementing a truly national and strategic framework requires collaboration from all stakeholders—government, businesses, landowners, and the public. By working together and adopting a coordinated, data-driven approach, we can unlock the full potential of our land resources, leading to a more productive, sustainable, and resilient UK.