The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a new land use framework to address the competing interests of farmers and developers in England. But it takes no account of the minerals that are essential for construction and manufacturing.
Defra says that fragmented decision-making has led to inefficient land use; three of the five worst harvests on record were in the last five years and a third of farmland is now at high risk of flooding. The is new framework will safeguard the most productive agricultural land, it promises.
The land use framework covers housing, agriculture, nature recovery and other land uses, but ignores the supply of minerals from UK quarries that underpin all these and other sectors 鈥� from the sand and gravel to make concrete and masonry for new homes to agricultural lime for farmers鈥� fields that improves crop yields, and quarry restoration providing habitats for wildlife.
The Mineral Products Association (MPA)聽 鈥� representing an industry which directly contributes 拢6.7bn GVA to the economy 鈥� offered a detailed response to the Defra consultation in 2025 highlighting the lack of reference to minerals and the sector鈥檚 contribution to the economy and nature. It appears to have been ignored.
MPA executive director Mark Russell said: 鈥淚t is very disappointing that mineral extraction, a small but important land use that's critical to UK construction and manufacturing industries, and is uniquely capable of delivering incredible nature recovery, doesn鈥檛 merit a mention.
"While our members鈥� quarries account for a relatively modest land area it is deeply frustrating that Defra doesn鈥檛 seem interested in either their contribution to the rural economy nor their capacity to deliver biodiversity net gain.鈥�
Environmental interests emphasised the positives.
Environment Agency chair Alan Lovell said: 鈥淭he land use framework is a significant and timely step forward 鈥� giving us the tools to make smarter, more joined-up decisions about how our land is used. It sets out the scale of change required to balance environmental priorities 鈥� water, climate and nature 鈥� with the equally pressing demands of food production, housing and development.
"Using lower-grade agricultural land for natural flood management, for instance, can cut flood risk, boost biodiversity and build more resilient landscapes 鈥� critical approaches as we adapt to a changing climate while delivering real benefits for communities and the environment."
Roger Mortlock, chief executive of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), said: 鈥淭he land use framework is a long-awaited opportunity for real change. It promises serious integration across government departments, which could help ensure we finally make the most of our finite supply of land.聽
鈥淏ut even the best intentions won鈥檛 change the fact that every hectare of land is being pulled in multiple directions. Economic growth should not be prioritised at any cost to the countryside. How trade-offs are managed locally and nationally 鈥� and the degree to which the framework is integrated with other spatial strategies 鈥� will be key to its success.聽
鈥淭he UK is facing a land crunch of unprecedented proportions. We can overcome it, but delivery matters as much as ambition.鈥�