A comprehensive land use plan would optimise the use of the land to deliver on major strategic objectives, including biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, water and air pollution, food security and population health.
It should include guidelines for agricultural policy, with the aim to promote increasing tree cover, shifting livestock farming to areas where it is ecologically suitable, support for mixed farming systems and support for the expansion of sustainable horticulture.
Mechanisms to ensure that local planning decisions are based around what is sustainable should be included.
A comprehensive land use plan would include:
- Review of agricultural classification taking into account climate change scenarios, the need for a more diverse, sustainable and healthy diet, and the need for land for carbon sequestration and biodiversity (e.g. afforestation)
- Highlighting suitable areas for afforestation and nature friendly farming to provide biodiversity and carbon benefits.
