Key facts
- Government plans to offer free public access to Land Registry data are facing potential opposition from landowners.
- The proposals aim to identify owners of significant landholdings to aid development and planning.
- Landowners' group warned that increased transparency could compromise families' privacy and security.
- The government stated that at least 10% of land ownership information is currently unknown.
The UK government's proposal to provide free public access to Land Registry data, aimed at boosting house building and strategic planning, faces potential opposition from landowners. Campaigners are urging public support for the initiative, which would make information on significant landholdings available. While proponents argue for increased transparency to make smarter decisions, groups representing landowners have raised concerns about privacy and security risks for families. The Land Registry, an arm's length body, currently has paywalls that the government seeks to lift, though sensitive information may still be restricted to those demonstrating public interest.