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Land use

Statistics showing the distribution of land uses in the North East LEP area and comparisons with other areas

Housing and land Net Zero
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Land use in the North East

28 categories of land use

based on information from definitive Ordnance Survey mapping

780,400

North East land area (hectares)

64% in Northumberland
29% in County Durham
6.0% of England's land area

6.0%

is developed land

% of total land area
England excl. London: 8.3%

48%

is agricultural

% of total land area
England, excl. London: 64%

The first of the charts below shows how the North East land area was split between Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne and Wear in 2022, and how it was divided between developed and non-developed land.

The next two charts provide comparisons of land use between different areas. In each case, the percentage of the land area that was developed in 2022 is shown, together with the percentages within seven distinct non-developed land use types. The area types in the chart include the English core city areas and local authority areas and constituencies within the North East.

The final chart highlights the extent of forestry, natural land and rough grassland in the North East.

Developed land use in the North East

18 categories of developed land use

including buildings, roads and other man-made surfaces

53%

Transport and utilities

% of developed land
England excl. London: 51%

13.4%

Residential

% of developed land
England excl. London: 13.7%

4.1%

Industry and commerce

% of developed land
England excl. London: 4.2%

The charts below focus on developed land in the North East in 2022. The first two charts show how the totals vary between local authority areas and by type. The third shows North East totals as a percentage of England's land area for different types.

The final two charts provide comparisons of developed land use between different areas. In each case, the percentages of land within six distinct types are charted. The geographies in the chart include the English core city areas, as well as local authority areas and constituencies within the North East.

Non-developed land use in the North East

10 categories of non-developed land use

including agriculture, open land, recreational areas, residential gardens

>20%

of England's natural land

130,000 ha in total
18% of North East non-developed land

17%

of England's rough grassland

75,000 ha in total
10% of North East non-developed land

>8%

of England's forestry and woodland

113,000 ha in total
15% of North East non-developed land

The charts below focus on non-developed land in the North East in 2022. The first two show how the totals vary land type and highlight that most North East non-developed land is within four of the 22 constituencies. The third chart shows North East totals as a percentage of England's land area for different types.

The other two charts provide comparisons of non-developed land use between different areas. In each case, the percentages of land within eight distinct types are charted. The geographies in the chart include the English core city areas, as well as local authority areas and constituencies within the North East.

Further information

The statistics charted on this page are based on a snapshot of land use in England in April 2022 taken from the Ordnance Survey’s topography products. Land uses are classified across 28 categories, Ten of these categories describe non-developed or vacant land with the other 18 being developed land categories.

The information is taken from a Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities release

The same source is used to produce land use change statistics. It also provides data about land use in greenbelt areas and in flood risk areas.