Access to Information on Land
More and more information about land is being produced and released, and a range of valuable new applications are being found for it. Yet whilst the potential economic value of such data is well recognised, there is inadequate attention being given to how it can facilitate improved social and environmental outcomes. We think that increasing access to information on land is an achievable goal in the immediate future that is crucial to supporting common good land users.
Our new website Land Explorer displays key information on land in a simple and engaging way. Try it now for free at www.landexplorer.cc
Key issues:
- Common good land users need a wide range of information from many sources. This includes land ownership, environmental characteristics, location, existing infrastructure, local markets, and planning processes.
- Information on land can be expensive to access, or is not open to access at all. Many common good land users are not aware of what free data are available, or how to access them.
- Open datasets on land can be difficult to download and use. Websites are often complex and data is not supplied with information on how to use it.
- Existing platforms for using data do not take into account the specific needs of common good land users.
Quality information on land is crucial to making good decisions about it. It is particularly vital to get information to groups who can use it to support social and environmental missions.
What needs to change:
Information about who owns land, where and for what purpose should be available to the public for transparency and accountability purposes.
This means government should:
- Follow an ‘open-by-default’ policy of making all their data open and accessible, especially to common good users.
- Investing in the time and resources necessary to audit and improve past open data releases
- Build on data release projects like #OpenDefra and build on them by creating and supporting ways of accessing the data
- Actively engaging users who will use data for public benefit.
- In particular the Land Registry should be opened up, meaning free and transparent information on land ownership.
Related projects
- Land Explorer: we created an online tool, combining open data on land with a simple map-based interface, designed to enable users to access key information quickly. Have a look! If you are interested in helping us with this, get in touch.
- Land Registry Campaign
Further resources
- Private Eye created an online map of land owned by companies registered abroad
- Who Owns England is a blog by Guy Shrubsole investigating land ownership in England
- The Ordnance Survey’s Geovation Hub, supports innovative map-based projects
Scroll down to the posts below to read the latest updates on our work in this policy area.
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Related publications
Research reports and publications written by the Shared Assets team
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Exploring Land Data: getting better information to common good land users Quality land data is crucial to making good decisions about land use. Our new report explores the information needed by common good land users and how to get it to them. It also highlights some of the most useful data out there and contains suggestions for data producers on making their data more accessible. We’ve published the report in html here (better for mobile phones), or you can download a copy for printing in pdf here.
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Shared Assets response to Land Registry consultation paper Our response to the UK Government’s consultation paper on moving Land Registry operations to the private sector. Download here.
Related news and opinion
Blog articles, news and opinion pieces from the Shared Assets team
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