Consultation on national land use launched

The Government has today launched a consultation on a strategic national approach to land use in England. They say "Using the most sophisticated land use data ever published, the Land Use Framework will provide the principles, advanced data and tools to support decision-making by local government, landowners, businesses, farmers, and nature groups to make the most of our land. This will help deliver the different objectives we have for England’s finite land, including growing food, building 1.5 million homes this parliament, and restoring nature." Workshops will be held to engage farmers and landowners, and the proposal has been broadly welcomed by conservation groups. The IOA will be responding to the consultation highlighting aspects of planning where acousticians can support sustainable development - for example managing impacts of noise pollution from and on any development, and supporting the growth of healthy, vibrant soundscapes. The consultation is open until April 25th.