The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Centenary Conference, “Running out: facing the crisis in land use”, brought together more than 150 policymakers, planners, farmers, researchers, conservationists and local government representatives at UCL East on 25 June 2026 to explore how England can make better decisions about its finite land. The conference was co-organised by CPRE and UCL’s People and Nature Lab, creating a space for debate on how land can support nature recovery, food production, housing, climate action and thriving communities.
The conference was opened by CPRE CEO Roger Mortlock and Professor Kate Jones, Director of UCL’s People and Nature Lab.
Roger Mortlock, CEO of CPRE, said:
“The demands on England’s land have never been greater. The challenge facing us is not simply one of land availability, but of how we make decisions about land use in a way that recognises the many competing pressures and opportunities. Addressing this will require collaboration, innovation and a willingness to think beyond traditional boundaries.”
Prof Kate Jones, Director of PNL, said:
“The challenges facing land use today are complex and interconnected. Bringing together researchers, policymakers and practitioners is essential if we are to develop solutions that work for both people and nature.”
Mary Creagh, Nature Minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, announced the Government Estate Nature Plan, setting out how publicly owned land can support nature recovery, climate adaptation and public service delivery through the principles of the Land Use Framework.
A central message from the conference was that England’s land is under increasing pressure, with competing demands for development, food, nature restoration, renewable energy and climate adaptation. Speakers highlighted that decisions about land use are still too often made separately by different sectors, and that a more integrated approach is needed to balance these priorities.
The first session, “How did we get here?”, chaired by CPRE President Mary-Ann Ochota, examined the causes of the current land use challenge. Emma Pinchbeck, CEO of the Climate Change Committee, highlighted the scale of transformation needed to meet climate goals and the opportunities this could create for farmers and land managers. Professor Mark Tewdwr-Jones of UCL explored the pressures facing the planning system, author Guy Shrubsole discussed the role of land ownership and accountability, and Sue Pritchard, CEO of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, considered the importance of addressing difficult conversations about land rights and ownership.
The second session, “Designing systems that work”, chaired by writer and broadcaster Tom Heap, focused on how better systems could support joined-up land use decisions. Rachel Fisher, CEO of the Royal Town Planning Institute, called for stronger national spatial planning; Natalie Prosser, CEO of the Office for Environmental Protection, outlined the importance of meeting environmental commitments; and Tom Curtis of 3Keel explored how economic systems and business decisions influence land use. The discussion also included Tom Lafford from Defra’s Land Use Unit and Kevin Reid from MHCLG, who shared perspectives on emerging approaches to spatial planning and the Land Use Framework.
The final session, “From ambition to action”, chaired by CPRE Vice President Dame Fiona Reynolds, focused on practical delivery. Helen Browning, CEO of the Soil Association, shared examples of multifunctional farming approaches; Carolyn McKenzie of ADEPT argued that nature should be treated as essential infrastructure; Ellie Brodie of Grounded Insight presented new CPRE research on tools to help Strategic Authorities make integrated land use decisions; and Baroness Barbara Young, Chair of the Forestry Commission, highlighted how spatial tools can support practical action.
Key outcomes from the conference included a shared recognition that land use decisions need to move beyond traditional sector boundaries, stronger collaboration between government, communities, land managers and planners is essential, and better tools and frameworks are needed to deliver sustainable outcomes. Discussions showed that integrated land use planning can help address climate change, restore nature, support food security and create better places for people.
The conference concluded with reflections from CPRE CEO Roger Mortlock and a focus on the next steps needed to create a more sustainable approach to land use, bringing together communities, policymakers, researchers and land managers to shape the future of the countryside and places across the UK.