Public to gain free access to land ownership records

For the first time, members of the public and government agencies will be able to view land ownership data for free. The government published its proposal on Tuesday, ending a long-standing practice where accessing these records required a payment. This change is designed to help local councils identify locations for new housing, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure projects without incurring search fees.

The plan creates a new free dataset that identifies the owners of large land holdings across England and Wales. Ordinary homeowners are excluded from this specific public release. However, investigators, civil society groups, and regulators who can demonstrate a clear public interest may access more sensitive information. A government spokesperson noted that at least 10% of land ownership in England is currently unknown, and this measure aims to close that gap.

Guy Shrubsole, author of the book Who Owns England?, described the proposal as bold and sensible. He stated that the question of land ownership has historical roots stretching back to the Domesday Book. Shrubsole warned that major landowners might attempt to block the plans during the final stages. He urged the public to submit their views during the consultation period to ensure the reform proceeds.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government oversees the Land Registry, though the body operates largely independently. The Guardian previously reported on internal disagreements between the two entities regarding the extent of public access. The current proposal seeks to resolve these tensions by balancing transparency with the need for strategic planning.

Roger Mortlock, chief executive of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, supported the move. He argued that the finite supply of land is under pressure and that better data would help maximize the use of every hectare for homes, food production, or nature recovery. He emphasized the need to make the most of available space for economic and environmental goals.

Gavin Lane, president of the Country Land and Business Association, raised concerns about privacy. Lane represented landowners and rural businesses in his warning that exposing more personal information could make families vulnerable to fraud. He specifically cited the growing threat of identity theft facilitated by artificial intelligence. Lane argued that transparency should not come at the cost of individual security.

The proposal is open for public consultation for eight weeks. Many landowners have historically resisted making their holdings public. Shrubsole said that centuries of secrecy may end, but only if enough citizens participate in the process. The government will review the feedback before finalizing the rules for the new open data system.

Landowners are expected to engage actively during the consultation window. The outcome will determine how much detail is released in the new public dataset. The government aims to use the data to make smarter decisions on building necessary infrastructure while supporting economic growth and nature conservation.