RSS East Of England Plan - Broads Authority

East of England Plan 57
POLICY ENV4: Agriculture, Land and Soils
In their plans, policies, programmes and proposals planning authorities and other agencies should:
• promote and encourage the expansion of agri-environment schemes to:
– increase the landscape, historic and wildlife value of farmland in accordance with regional priorities set out in
other policies of this RSS;
– maintain and enhance the resilience and quality of soils;
– increase public access;
– reduce diffuse pollution;
• include policies that respond to the changes taking place in agriculture to address issues such as climate
change and consumer demands for higher standards of animal welfare and food safety and the implications of
resultant development in the countryside;
• encourage the sustainable use of soil resources and, where soil and land have been degraded, maximise
opportunities for restoration to beneficial after-uses including agriculture, woodland, amenity and habitat
creation schemes in accordance with regional priorities set out in other policies of this RSS;
• encourage more sustainable use of water resources through winter storage schemes and new wetland
creation.
8.14 The region has the highest proportion of high quality agricultural land in the country. PPS7, Sustainable Development in
Rural Areas, indicates that such land should, where possible, be protected from irreversible damage. The Government’s
Soil Action Plan for England identifies measures aimed at protecting this valuable and sometimes vulnerable resource.
8.15 Farming and agricultural support mechanisms changed with the introduction of Single Farm Payments. The Rural
Development Programme for England contains a range of diversification measures to support agriculture’s contribution to
landscape, biodiversity, and organic farming.
8.16 Climate change will also bring changes. Irrigation demand for certain crops could increase significantly, putting added
pressure on water supplies in times when water is likely to be scarce.