From the Guardian · · 1m 20s
Land Registry paywall stays up, no date set
The government promised free access to land ownership data in March but has given no timeline, leaving campaigners frustrated.
In brief
The government promised free access to land ownership data in March but has given no timeline, leaving campaigners frustrated. The government has refused to set a timeline for lifting the paywall on Land Registry data about large property ownership in England and Wales, despite a March commitment to make it free…
Government promised free land data
Emma Reynolds, the previous secretary of state for the environment, announced in March that the paywall protecting large amounts of the Land Registry would be partly lifted.
Why campaigners want this change
Campaigners called for this change to make large landowners more accountable, particularly for key areas such as river catchments, grouse moors and peatland.
No timeline given for the change
Reynolds did not put a date on when the paywall would be lifted. In July, the Land Registry said it was unable to comment on timelines or what may be released.
“we are currently unable to comment on timelines, what may be released, the format, or any associated attributes”
Campaigner calls for accountability
Guy Shrubsole, environmental campaigner and author of Who Owns England?, said it is ridiculous that the public are kept in the dark about who owns the land beneath their feet.
“It's ridiculous that in the 21st century the public are kept in the dark about who owns the land beneath our feet”
Defra commits to sharing details later
A Defra spokesperson said the government is improving transparency of land ownership data and will provide free access for the vast majority of England, sharing further details as work continues.
“We will provide free access to land ownership data for the vast majority of England, as we committed to in our land use framework”
The essence
The government has refused to set a timeline for lifting the paywall on Land Registry data about large property ownership in England and Wales, despite a March commitment to make it free.
