The UK’s fruit and vegetable supply is increasingly exposed to disruption from climate change and unstable global supply chains. To safeguard the nation’s supply of healthy food, the UK must expand homegrown fruit and vegetable production. High yielding glasshouses will be crucial, however, expansion is being deterred by lengthy planning processes, as well as high construction and running costs.

In this briefing, we expand on our previous recommendation that the government develop a national spatial strategy as part of the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan. The strategy should identify where new glasshouses would be best situated, including alongside other industries where they can use waste heat and CO2, and enable developments in these areas to be fast-tracked.

For more information, contact:

Katie Jones, policy adviser