Strictly embargoed until 00.01 hours, Friday 26 February
2010
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.
Its main findings are that:
Land is a versatile national asset playing a crucial role in
fostering people’s physical and mental wellbeing, and supporting
prosperity. But the land system will come under new pressures over
the next 50 years:
From climate change; and
· A growing and ageing population with more people living alone.
And new demands:
· The rise of the low carbon agenda alongside rising expectations
associated with growing incomes – more space for living and better transport.
Decisions will be needed on crucial issues such as how to balance
local and national interests; what is the appropriate mix of
market incentives and regulation to guide future land use change,
and how government can improve the strategic use of space and
assets when land is mostly under private ownership.
Professor John Beddington, the Government’s Chief Scientist and
the project director said:
“Together with our human capital, land is possibly our greatest
asset. It supports our prosperity, our wellbeing and forms the
bedrock of our cultural and national identity. However, many of
the current systems and ideas about what is the best use of land
date back to around the Second World War. A land management system
fit for the 21st century needs to draw on the latest science and
evidence on how changes in the use and management of land interact
to affect people and the natural environment, and to reflect the
diversity of benefits that land can deliver.
“This project is the first even-handed look across such a broad
spectrum of land use sectors, spanning rural and urban uses
including, agriculture, transport and housing. The analysis
highlights the challenges, opportunities and choices we face.
“Business as usual is not an option over the long-term. Without
being smart about how land is used, we risk missing targets, such
as halting biodiversity loss. The effects of climate change and
new pressures on land could escalate, seriously eroding quality of
life.
These are big issues which require national oversight and the
report argues that strategic objectives to guide future land use
change are needed. This detailed report finds that Government now
needs to find a way to coordinate work across land use sectors,
promote the smarter use of land and to reward land owners and
managers for sustainable practices.”
Drawing on over 35 expert papers, the report sets out how land is
used, what it is valued for, the challenges the land system will
face and the critical choices for Government.
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.
Critical choices for Government
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.
Notes to editors:
1. Download the full report at http://www.foresight.gov.uk
(only available from Friday 26 February.)
2. Foresight is in the Government Office for Science
(GO-Science). GO-Science supports the Government’s Chief
Scientific Adviser in ensuring that the Government has access to,
and uses, the best science and engineering advice. It is located
within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, but is
professionally independent of it.
3. The UK Government's Foresight Programme helps
Government think systematically about the future. Foresight uses
the latest scientific and other evidence to provide signposts for
policymakers in tackling future challenges.
4. For further enquires, please contact the GO Science Press
Office on 0207 215 5080
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk