Landowners Could Block Free Land Registry Access Plans, Campaigners Warn

Campaigners are warning that landowners may derail government plans to make Land Registry data free for the public, a move that would reveal who owns the vast majority of land in England and Wales. The proposals, announced on Tuesday, aim to remove the current paywall, which the government argues would aid housebuilding, nature protection, and strategic planning. The consultation will run for eight weeks, giving stakeholders a chance to weigh in. The outcome could have major implications for transparency and accountability in land ownership, as well as for efforts to address the housing crisis and environmental goals. If landowners successfully push back, the public may remain in the dark about who controls the ground beneath their feet.