Topic 1.3
Agriculture and Horticulture
Growing Enterprises / Food Production
Land / Soil Protection

Best and most versatile agricultural land as well as land in close proximity to cities will grow fruit and vegetables in harmony with nature, shortening supply chains, bringing food closer to consumers and building a better understanding of how food is produced.

As a nation we are not eating enough fresh fruit and vegetables for a healthy diet.

The food system is responsible for about a third of all greenhouses gas emissions globally and significant dietary and land use changes are required to achieve climate and nature targets. Soil degradation and loss of natural ecosystems are also a major concern. 

Loss of land from agriculture/food production.

Food insecurity.

There is a disconnect between consumers and producers. People grow up not knowing how food is grown; produce is undervalued. This can lead to unhealthy diets.

Identify and safeguard rural and peri-urban land for food growing.

Protect the best and most versatile (BMV) agricultural land. 

Avoid development which undermines the viability of an agricultural or horticultural land holding.

Identify and safeguard land on the periphery of urban areas which is most suitable for market gardening.

Designate space for environmentally beneficial fruit and nut tree planting, community food and small farm enterprises, and horticulture. 

Site designations and boundaries, such as Green Belt, should provide long term certainty to enable businesses to fund investment. 

Recognise that many agricultural holdings value the engagement of local communities and allow buildings for educational visits and volunteer programmes.

Support infrastructure which enables growers to supply local markets e.g. farm shops.

Support farms and rural enterprises to create viable businesses.

Support services in rural settlements to ensure a thriving local economy, factoring in the value of a retaining a productive rural landscape.

Detailed annual statistics on the structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK. These data sets present annual land and crop areas, livestock populations and agricultural workforce estimates broken down by farm type, size and region. More detailed geographical breakdowns and maps are updated every 3 to 4 years: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/structure-of-the-agricultural-industry-in-england-and-the-uk-at-june 

More fruit and vegetable production in the UK is needed given the vulnerability and sustainability of our current global supplies

Food Resilience Report: https://nationalpreparednesscommission.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/united-kingdom-food-security-report-2021/united-kingdom-food-security-report-2021-theme-3-food-supply-chain-resilience

Growing Communities Food Zone model explains the concept of growing local food for better food security, job creation and climate resilience. In this model, food is sourced sustainably, trade is fair, carbon is reduced from localised distribution, supply chains are shortened and consumers are reconnected with farming.

Sustain’s briefing on land use, “A Green and Pressured Land – making sense of the many competing demands for rural and peri-urban land” , makes recommendations on how to balance the many pressures on land in the UK and our use of land overseas, including the impact of agriculture and the types of food consumed.

Encourage large purchasers of food – hospitals, schools, local authorities, large employers to adopt sustainable food procurement policies:
https://www.sustainablefoodplaces.org/resources/food_procurement_and_supply/
https://www.gov.scot/policies/food-and-drink/sustainable-production-and-procurement/ 

Liaison with farm business networks

Map of agricultural land

Food miles research

Area of BMV agricultural land lost to development

Number of food producing businesses 

The number of businesses that are in operation and have been for a certain length of time.

Number of food producing businesses no longer trading 

Number of farm shops (Environmental Health / Food Standards Agency)

Kindling Farm, a sustainable, community-owned farming project, has announced the purchase of a 78-acre farm in Knowsley, between Manchester and Liverpool. Kindling Trust,  Barn Hey Farm,  business plan & vision: https://kindling.org.uk/Farm
https://www.farmersguide.co.uk/rural/community-farming-project-purchases-78-acre-farm/

Cheshire West and Chester Council has gained experience on which strategic policies should be explained in more detail. The protection of existing facilities, such as local shops, to ensure sustainable development, quality of life and a reduction in the need to travel is better understood than how to allow the development of new facilities in rural areas such as agriculture and small-scale farm diversification where a number of impacts must be assessed. (Cheshire West and Chester).

Cheshire West and Chester Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies.

DM 7 – Rural diversification of land based businesses

Recognise “Farm shops can serve an important role within a rural area and help meet demand for fresh produce and support local jobs and services.”

https://consult.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/kse/event/34617/section/s1561545628374#s1561545628374

Cheshire East: ED 18 Green Space Strategy Update 2020 FINAL DRAFT (14).pdf This is part of the evidence for CEC Local Plan, Sites and Development Plan Document adopted in 2022. It contains food growing objectives: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/planning/spatial-planning/research_and_evidence/green_space_strategy.aspx 

Warrington Local Plan Policy ENV8 ‘Environmental and Amenity Protection’ (8). Development proposals will need to demonstrate that any loss of the Borough’s best and most versatile agricultural land will be minimised.