The UK Government has set numerous goals related to habitat restoration under the Environmental Improvement Plan, much of which of hoped to be achieved through the Government’s Environmental Land Management Schemes. The Government has also set several ambitious targets through its housebuilding programme and plans for net zero energy generation.
All of these priorities have implications for the use of land. Given that agriculture represents around 70% of England’s land use, it is farmers and growers that are most likely to be impacted by these priorities. Changes to land use will offer opportunities but also present risks, particularly given the pressures that the agricultural sector is already under.
Access to nature is also important, with some areas and communities lacking access to quality green and blue spaces which are vital for physical and mental health. However, public access can also present challenges to landowners and the environment.
This long-term thematic inquiry will consider these trade-offs and how the Government and other public bodies manage them. It will consider how the Government is looking to restore habitats and make progress towards international commitments to protect 30% of land by 2030. The Committee will call for evidence on a regular basis and produce iterative and focused reports throughout the inquiry.
Topics for scrutiny may include, but are not limited to:
- Restoration of different habitats, such as heathland, wetlands and forest
- Protected sites
- National parks and landscapes
- The design and implementation of the Land Use Framework
- Rights of way
- Urban green spaces
- Land use in the agricultural sector
If you have information or evidence which may be of interest to the Committee, please contact: efracom@parliament.uk