Integrating sustainable farming into your local plan: Toolkit for English Councils

This toolkit is designed to help local planning authorities develop policies that support local sustainable farming and prevent the most polluting forms of farming – i.e. intensive livestock production.

Local, sustainable farming will contribute to sustainable development by building a strong, rural economy, producing nutritious food in harmony with nature and restoring consumers’ connection to food. The toolkit also serves as a quick and easy access guide for communities that want to engage in the development of their local plan.

This toolkit has been created through a variety of methods, including consultations with farmers, analysing and drawing examples from existing local plans, and synthesising the work of other toolkits.

The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to sustainable development and flourishing local communities. Yet, sustainable agriculture is underrepresented within local plans, missing a key opportunity for local plans to shape strong rural economies.

Currently, sustainable farming faces complex planning barriers while intensive pig and poultry units have increased 20% between 2016-2023 . Intensive livestock units are barriers to sustainable development1. Up to 33,450 tonnes of manure is produced every day by chickens and pigs in factory farms and agricultural diffuse pollution is the main cause of river pollution in England.. Factory farms are a major driver of river pollution.

Local planning authorities can stop the spread of intensive factory farming by properly using their existing planning powers and by updating their local plans. As many local planning authorities are in the process of reviewing their local plans, now is an opportune time to ensure local planning supports the growth of a vibrant and sustainable local food and farming system.

How to use the toolkit

The toolkit has several sections:

• A summary of national planning policy and the current statutory guidance for England.
• Recommendations for how local plans can mitigate the impacts of intensive livestock units. Included in these recommendations is a rationale, along with key elements for local plan policy: a policy explanation, policy recommendations and monitoring. Where possible, there are hyperlinked case studies for the policy explanations and recommendations.
• Recommendations for how local plans can unlock sustainable farming and boost the local economy. Included in these recommendations is a rationale, along with key elements for local plan policy: a policy explanation, policy recommendations and monitoring. Where possible, there are hyperlinked case studies for the policy explanations and recommendations.   
• Suggestions for who to connect with.
• Additional resources. 

This toolkit is intended to be used as a guide for what can be included in a local plan and adapted to best suit your local context. It is not legal advice. If you have a food strategy, your local plan should support this.