Planning policy overhaul means agricultural land and rivers at risk, Sustain warns

Currently under review is the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), a crucial set of rules that will shape future development and land use across England. Sustain has identified three key ways the review could affect food security, pollution, and sustainable farming. 

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1. Protecting valued landscapes and rivers from intensive livestock units

Current planning rules support "sustainable growth and expansion of all types of business in rural areas," a policy that some agribusinesses have interpreted as a green light for aggressive expansion. The increase in the number and scale of intensive livestock units (a growth of 20% from 2016 to 2023) has led to severe pollution in rivers and air, threatening ecological collapse and hindering housebuilding efforts. Sustain urges the government to update national planning rules to address this growing ecological crisis. Specifically, following the Environmental Audit Committee's advice to limit planning permissions for intensive livestock units in polluted catchments. 

2. Promoting healthy food communities 

The review proposes to enhance the planning system's role in creating healthy communities. Sustain advocates for incorporating principles such as ensuring all urban communities have access to a shop or market selling healthy food within a 10-minute walk, protecting isolated shops from changes in use, and restricting hot food takeaways near schools and youth centres. Additionally, Sustain supports the inclusion of edible landscaping in major developments, restricting advertising, and the installation of drinking water fountains in new public spaces. 

3. Supporting Agroecology 

Agricultural land and other assets are critical national infrastructure for food security, domestic self-sufficiency, and public health. However, there is currently no national guidance on how planning authorities can support sustainable food and farming through local plans. The review offers an opportunity to define sustainable development in the context of food and farming, explicitly how planning can support agroecology and nature-friendly practices. Sustain calls for policies that encourage organic farming, the growth of more fruits, vegetables, pulses, and legumes, and the development of a more localised food system that benefits SMEs, cooperatives, and provides good jobs. 

Sustain is working with planning experts led by the Landworkers Alliance to develop a comprehensive response. We encourage all stakeholders to engage in the consultation. Join our planning newsletter to receive resources to help