Moved by
Baroness Young of Old Scone
117: After Clause 136, insert the following new Clause—
“Land use framework for England
(1) The Secretary of State must, no later than 31 March 2023, lay a land use framework for England before Parliament.
(2) The framework must set out—
(a) the Secretary of State’s objectives in relation to integrated land use within a sustainable land use framework;
(b) principles to guide decisions by government and public authorities on the most effective use of land;
(c) proposals and policies for meeting the objectives; and
(d) the timescales over which those proposals and policies are expected to take effect.
(3) The objectives, principles, proposals and policies referred to in subsection (2) must contribute to—
(a) achievement of multifunctional land use, balancing the range of needs for land, including agriculture and food production;
(b) achievement of objectives in relation to mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, including achieving carbon budgets under Part 1 of the Climate Change Act 2008;
(c) sustainable development including the use of land for development and infrastructure;
(d) the achievement of objectives of the 25 Year Environment Plan for halting the decline of biodiversity.
(4) Before laying the framework before Parliament, the Secretary of State must publish a draft framework and consult with—
(a) such bodies as he or she considers appropriate, and
(b) the general public.
(5) The Secretary of State must, no later than—
(a) 5 years after laying a framework before Parliament under subsection (1), and
(b) the end of every subsequent period of 5 years,
lay a revised framework before Parliament under the terms set out in subsections (2) to (4).
(6) The Secretary of State must, no later than 3 years after the laying of a framework before Parliament under this section and at three year intervals thereafter, lay before Parliament a report on the implementation of the framework and progress in achieving the objectives, principles, proposals and policies under subsection (2).”
Member’s explanatory statement
This new Clause would provide a land use context to enable the Secretary of State and public authorities to make optimal decisions about the multifunctional uses of land to achieve the targets, plans and policies for improving the natural environment and other purposes.