State of the South West 2008

Land Use

7.31 The South West is the largest region in England, with over 18% (around 2.4 million hectares) of the national total land area (almost 13.2 million hectares). 

7.32 Greenspace made up over 91% (almost 2.2 million hectares) of the South West's landuse in 2005, the joint highest proportion of any region in England with the North East.  Within the South West, Devon had the highest proportion of the regional total area of greenspace with 28% (626,051hectares). The Former Avon area had the lowest with 5% (107,066 hectares). Proportional to county area, Wiltshire had the largest area of greenspace, accounting for 93% (323,727 hectares). This was closely followed by Devon with 92% of it's land area covered by greenspace (626,051 hectares). The Former Avon area had the lowest proportion with 78% (107,066 hectares). (Communities & Local Government, 2007).

7.33 There were almost 74,218 hectares of gardens in the South West in 2005, the 3rd highest of the regions. 

7.34 Within the South West, Devon had the highest percentage of the South West's total area of domestic gardens, accounting for 21% (4,403 hectares). Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly and Somerset had the lowest with 12% (8,862 and 9,212 hectares respectively).

7.35 Proportional to county area, the Former Avon had the largest area of domestic gardens with 7%. This was closely followed by Dorset, with 4% of it's area covered by gardens. Devon had the lowest area of gardens with 2%, whilst all other counties recorded 3%.

7.36 The South West had the 4th highest proportion of the national total of water in 2005, with 47,606 hectares. This was just above the English average of 38,180 hectares. Proportionately, the 47,606 hectares of water in the South West accounted for 2% of region's land area. This was similar to all other regions, with the exception of the North West, which had 6% of it's land area covered by water (91,910 hectares).  Within the region, Devon had the highest proportion of the regional total area of water with 23% (10,835 hectares). Wiltshire area had the lowest with 4% (2,037 hectares).  Proportional to county area, the Former Avon area had the largest area of water, accounting for 5% (6,810 hectares). Wiltshire had the lowest proportion with 1% (2,037 hectares).

7.37 The South West had the 2nd highest proportion of the national total of road network in 2005, with 42,709 hectares.  Proportionately, the 42,709 hectares of road in the South West accounted for just 2% of region's land area. This was similar to all other regions, with the exception of London which had 12% of its area covered by road. Within the South West, Devon had the highest proportion of the regional total area of road with 28% (116,432 hectares). Gloucestershire had the lowest with 11% (45,338 hectares).  Proportional to county area, the Former Avon area had the largest area of road, accounting for 4% (50,503 hectares). Although very similar to the remaining counties, Wiltshire had the lowest proportion with 1% (48,928 hectares).

7.38 The region had only 10% of the national rail network in 2005, the 4th lowest of the regions and just under the English average of 1,794 hectares).  Proportionately, the 1,744 hectares of rail in the South West accounted for just 0.1% of region's land area. This was similar to all other regions, with the exception of London which had 1% of its area covered by rail.  Devon had the highest proportion of the regional total area of rail with 19% (337 hectares). Dorset had the lowest with 8% (143 hectares).  Proportional to county area, the Former Avon area had the largest area of rail, accounting for 0.2% (278 hectares). Although very similar to the remaining counties, Devon had the lowest proportion with 0.05% (337 hectares).

7.39 A total of 150,771 hectares were classified as domestic buildings in England in 2005, just under 13% of which could be found in the South West.  The region had the 3rd highest proportion of the national total of domestic buildings in 2005, with 18,859 hectares.  Proportionately, the 18,859 hectares of domestic buildings in the South West accounted for just 0.8% of region's land area. This was the lowest percentage recorded in any of the regions.  Devon had the highest percentage of the South West's total area of domestic buildings, accounting for 24% (4,403 hectares). Gloucestershire had the lowest with 11% (2,109 hectares).  Proportional to county area, the Former Avon had the highest percentage of domestic buildings with 2%. This was closely followed by Gloucestershire, with just over 1% of it's county. All other counties had just under 1% of their county area covered by domestic properties.

7.40 A total of 86,895 hectares was classified as non-domestic buildings in England in 2005, 12% (10,831 hectares) of which could be found in the South West.  This was the 3rd highest proportion of the national total.  Proportionately, the 10,831 hectares of non-domestic buildings in the South West accounted for just 0.4% of region's land area. This was the lowest percentage recorded in any of the regions.  Devon had the highest proportion of the regional total area for non-domestic buildings with 23% (2,487 hectares). Dorset had the lowest with 11% (1,214 hectares).  Proportional to county area, the Former Avon area had the largest area of non-domestic buildings, accounting for 1% (1,610 hectares). Although very similar to other counties, Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly had the lowest proportion with 0.3% (1,269 hectares).

7.41 More information about land use is available from the South West Observatory Environment website.  The impact of climate change on our landscape, access to open space and local distinctiveness are also indicators used to monitor progress of the Regional Environment Strategy.