More protection for farmland in Levelling Up Bill amendment
© Adobe Stock Government assurances that food security and protecting farmland for food production should be carefully considered when developers want to build solar farms or houses have been hailed as a “big win for British agriculture”.
Greg Smith, Conservative MP for Buckingham, sought changes to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill that is making its way through parliament, so as to put better protection in place for farmland in England against developments such as solar power.
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Mr Smith said he was pleased that ministers involved in the bill had listened and agreed to “beef up” the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
“We’ve got an offer, we’ve got a compromise to lock into the new National Planning Policy Framework explicit recognition of food production in the planning process, with stricter controls to protect agricultural land. I think this is a big win for British agriculture,” Mr Smith said.
As the Report Stage of the Levelling Up Bill comes back to the House of Commons, pleased that Ministers have listened and agreed to beef up the NPPF with stronger protections for agricultural land in the planning system. @NFUtweets @michaelgove @FelicityBuchan @Minette_Batters pic.twitter.com/aer2LsbIg8
— Greg Smith MP (@gregsmith_uk) December 13, 2022
In a letter sent to Mr Smith, housing minister Felicity Buchan said the government would “make clear that the availability of land used for food production should be carefully considered when deciding what sites are most appropriate for development”.
Furthermore, the government would make clear the importance it places “on food security and the critical role of planning in maintaining it”.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities also plans to hold a consultation on the possibility of further legal protection for agricultural land used for food production, to make it harder for developers to build on such land.
NFU president Minette Batters welcomed the changes sought by Mr Smith.
“Many of you will remember the prime minister Rishi Sunak, in August – at the hustings that we held – committed to making sure that food production did have a statutory underpinning, if you like: didn’t become the poor relation to solar, to nature, to housebuilding,” Ms Batters said.
“This I think goes a very long way to making sure that food production – food security – is factored in in all local plans, and that it does not become the poor relation going forwards. I think this is much needed and really does shape the future of our land use in this country.”