CHAIRMAN'S CLOSING REMARKS

Pressure on land use needs compromise and cooperation.

The pressure on land use in England has never been greater. There is a perfect storm brewing between the wants and needs of the country and the experiences and aspirations of those who live and work in rural England.

We are told by the media that the countryside is in crisis and must be protected at all costs. In addition, the Government has multiple agendas, wanting land for more trees, local nature recovery strategies, biodiversity net gain, nutrient neutrality, renewable energy, recreation and wellbeing, improved infrastructure, more housing, and some way down the list, food production.

The nation may also want the above, but most don’t really want change, particularly if that change is perceived to harm the environment, costs more, or spoils our enjoyment of domestic life. Meanwhile the traditional landowner and farmer looks for opportunity and realises that there just isn’t enough land in England to satisfy everyone. In 2023, compromise appears to be a long-forgotten word.

There is a disconnect between those who want and those who can provide, and I fear that Whitehall and the urban dweller are becoming increasingly removed from the realities of rural life and the necessity to survive economically - not helped by the recent ‘Wild Isles’ series on BBC1.

The Government and the ever-increasing number of NGOs who feel they have the right to impose their own desires upon the rural dweller and landowner, must remember that currently, (and thankfully), it is ultimately up to the property owner what happens to their property.

The pressures on the nation’s limited land resource will only increase over time. Every effort must be made to bring those with different agendas together, to engage in open and frank communication to encourage a mutual understanding of the issues faced in 2023.

As ever, a degree of compromise and a willingness to work together will be necessary.

01388 487000 dag@gscgrays.co.uk