Rethinking Land in the UK

There is an urgent need to rethink how we classify and use land in England from a Natural Capital perspective. Doing so will make us happier, healthier, and richer. 

Land in the UK is boxed into one of three categories:

1. Green belt

2. Grey belt

3. Brownfield

They are categorised as if they are static, unchangeable entities. But there’s a problem with this. These different types of land have the potential to reshape the health of nature and society.

What if we looked at land through the lens of opportunity? Not just as a consumable good that only fits one purpose and we throw away when we’re done with it.

Take, for example, the green belt. It could become more than just a protective buffer against urban sprawl. By embracing rewilding and biodiversity, these areas could evolve into rich ecosystems, teeming with wildlife and providing essential services like carbon sequestration and flood management. This isn’t just about nature for nature’s sake—there’s a profound societal benefit. Cleaner air, natural flood protection, and a renewed connection to nature all enhance human well-being. The benefit extends to a clear economic effect as well. A cleaner and safer area means more money being spent growing communities rather than rebuilding them. WildEast is already setting the example in the East of England, showing how private landowners can transform spaces into wildlife havens.

In cities, grey belt areas—our dense urban environments—don’t have to remain concrete jungles. With forward-thinking design and technology, we can reintroduce nature into every nook and cranny of city life. Imagine walking out of your office and seeing a beautiful vertical forest that cleans the air, or taking a stroll on a green roof that reduces urban heat, and seeing parks with people running or enjoying the day replace parking lots. 

These innovations aren’t just good for the planet—they improve the quality of life for every city dweller. Studies repeatedly show that access to green space reduces stress, improves mental health, and even enhances productivity. Look to London’s Biophilic Design movement, where nature is woven into the fabric of buildings, bringing calm and clarity to the chaos of city life.

And lastly, brownfield sites, land that was previously developed and is now derelict or abandoned, is often neglected and seen as unusable. In reality, it presents some of the most exciting opportunities. We can build on them in ways that restore the land and create vibrant, sustainable communities. Urban Splash in Manchester is a fantastic example, turning old industrial sites into eco-friendly, mixed-use spaces that balance human need with environmental sustainability. These projects showcase how we can marry development with green innovation, creating spaces supporting biodiversity while serving society.

This isn’t just about rethinking land; it’s about rethinking how we live, how we connect with our environment, and how we can create a society that is healthier, happier, and more in tune with the natural world. 

We’re at a tipping point. We can either continue to compartmentalize land, sticking to outdated classifications and behaving like land is “one use,” or we can embrace a holistic vision—one where every piece of land, from the wild countryside to the heart of the city, contributes to a greener, richer, and more sustainable future for us all.