Green Belt Overlooked as Pivotal Solution to Climate Change, Nature Decline, and Food Security Vulnerabilities

Strategic Insights -

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has issued a report highlighting the Green Belt's untapped potential to address climate change, nature decline, and food security concerns. The report, 'State of the Green Belt 2023', emphasizes the need to make the Green Belt "greener, wetter, and more biodiverse" by implementing sustainable practices, creating nature corridors, and promoting eco-friendly development. Key recommendations include doubling the amount of Green Belt farmland under Environmental Land Management schemes, creating 350,000 hectares of new woodland and wetland, and integrating planning, farming, and forestry policies to protect the countryside.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Green Belt protects 12.5% of England's land area from development and has the potential to become a pivotal solution to climate change, nature decline, and food security vulnerabilities.
  • The report recommends doubling the amount of Green Belt farmland covered by Environmental Land Management schemes, from 28% to over 50%.
  • Creating 350,000 hectares of new woodland and wetland close to urban areas is also suggested, in-line with the Natural Capital Committee's recommendations.
  • A Land Use Framework should be established to integrate planning, farming, and forestry policies and protect the countryside.
  • The report highlights the need to improve transport links, recreation, and tourism in the Green Belt.
  • The Green Belt has the potential to deliver more affordable and social housing, with the report recommending the development of small rural exception sites on the edge of villages to accommodate local needs.
  • An analysis of the development of land within and outside the Green Belt found that significant amounts of development are taking place, with just under 208,000 houses in the local planning pipeline awaiting construction and an average of 220 planning applications submitted each year since 2009.
  • The community-led campaign group CPRE wants to see the Green Belt valued and protected for what it is but also delivering more in the future.

Statistics:

  • 12.5% of England's land area is protected by the Green Belt.
  • 28% of Green Belt farmland is currently under Environmental Land Management schemes.
  • 350,000 hectares of new woodland and wetland are proposed to be created close to urban areas.
  • 50% of Green Belt farmland should be under Environmental Land Management schemes to achieve the report's vision.
  • Green Belt policy has allowed for the building of just under 208,000 houses in the local planning pipeline awaiting construction.
  • An average of 220 planning applications for large developments have been submitted each year since 2009.
  • At least 9,000 houses have been built each year since 2009.

Sources:

  • Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) - 'State of the Green Belt 2023: A Vision for the 21st Century'
  • Roger Mortlock, chief executive of CPRE - Interview in the CPRE press release.