The government is consulting on the future use of land in England, aiming to create a framework that helps landowners and policymakers make informed decisions. John Varley, CEO of Clinton Devon Estates, encourages stakeholders to participate, hopeful that this consultation will be a constructive exercise.
Launching a consultation on a Land Use Framework for England while farmers protest against what they see as a government disconnected from the realities of running a family farm — compounded by the uncertainties introduced in the October Budget — might be, in the words of Sir Humphrey, “a very brave decision, Minister.”
However, let’s be clear: agriculture faces an existential crisis on many fronts. Yet it also stands at the threshold of renewal — a moment to reposition the industry as a leader in addressing climate change, food security, nature recovery, and water quality, while supporting the development of new homes and critical infrastructure.
Agriculture can offer skilled roles and fulfilling careers for the next generation. Every opportunity to shape this exciting agenda must be seized, and this is the context in which I view farmers’ participation in the consultation on the Land Use Framework. It is absolutely critical that farmers and landowners get involved.
British farmers, who increased food production during WWI, faced hardship after the Corn Production Act was abolished in 1921. In response, Charles, 21st Baron Clinton, stood up in the House of Lords in 1922, advocating for a bold, new policy for agriculture and rural communities.
He said: “To lift it from its slough, agriculture calls for a new and bold policy of adventure. It needs from successive Governments a permanent and, above all things, a practical policy. It needs sympathy and aid rather than subsidies and doles. In brief, British agriculture calls for a coherent vision, for active assistance and scientific research, so as to place new knowledge at the farmer’s disposal in a way that he can understand.”
A century later, British agriculture finds itself at another crossroads. Land-based subsidies, once a reliable income stream for farmers, are disappearing, supply chains are demanding increased farm assurance and accreditation, market volatility and climate impacts are putting the management of risk front and centre. Similarly, forestry must navigate complex questions about how to best fulfil the many roles society demands.
Momentum for a land use framework has been building for years, driven by environmental groups, the House of Lords Land Use in England Committee, the Food, Farming, and Countryside Commission, and others. In 2023, the Royal Society’s Multifunctional Landscapes report highlighted the need for science and innovation to sustainably increase land productivity, delivering multiple outputs. Although the previous government had planned a framework, it is now the responsibility of Labour after the general election.
Some view the government’s decision to launch this consultation as interference in landowners’ decisions, while others see it as an opportunity to maximize the potential for multifunctional land uses, balancing nature recovery with food production. I believe it’s a culmination of years of frustration, where potential conflicts have emerged between demands for housing, food production, net zero goals, and nature recovery. The Secretary of State has assured that the framework will guide better decision-making without dictating land use. We should take him at his word.
If farmers and landowners fully engage in the consultation, they should view it as an opportunity rather than a threat. Polarized debates will not lead to positive outcomes, whilst collaboration and mutual understanding can foster multifunctional land use that benefits all.
With climate change threatening food imports and uncertainties surrounding global trade, homegrown food will become increasingly essential. Adapting land use to deliver food, timber, biodiversity, and energy, while accommodating housing and infrastructure, is a significant challenge for a land-limited nation like ours.
At Clinton Devon Estates, we have been involved in projects that demonstrate the power of multifunctional land use. For example, on the Lower Otter, we’ve reconnected the river’s lower reaches to its floodplain, reducing upstream flooding and creating new wildlife habitats. We’re also working on the Heaths to Sea project, which spans 4,500 hectares of East Devon countryside, linking three parts of the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve to drive nature recovery across agricultural land. Additionally, in June 2022, we ran an Environmental Land Management (ELMS) test and trial to explore ways to protect the environment while sustaining thriving rural communities and supporting world-class food and farming.
These projects show how collaboration between farmers, foresters, regulators, and local communities can deliver both environmental and economic benefits. Transparent, cooperative efforts lead to consensus and stronger support for sustainable land use decisions.
Government proposals suggest reducing farmland dedicated to food production by 9%. While this is concerning, evidence indicates that increased agricultural productivity could offset this reduction, freeing up land for other uses. Making land viable for nature recovery is challenging, but private income streams from carbon offsetting and biodiversity net gain may help, though public funding will remain critical in the short term. Collaboration between farmers and other stakeholders on a catchment scale should be encouraged, focusing limited financial resources on delivering multiple outcomes. Success will depend on new skills, leadership, and competencies across the industry.
Farmers and landowners facing unexpected challenges like inheritance tax and the accelerated phasing out of subsidies may see the framework as yet another burden. However, the 2024 Budget may prompt farming families to consider their future — planning for generational transition and new strategies for their farms. By engaging in this consultation, they can influence the land use framework and help shape the future of farming.
If we get this right, we can move beyond polarized debates to cooperation based on science, as Baron Clinton envisioned more than a century ago. Informed decisions will benefit future generations, ensuring sustainable land use and maintaining profitable, productive farming for years to come.