Warning over unregistered land

11:16am Thursday 21st August 2008

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LANDOWNERS and farmers in Wiltshire are being urged to secure remaining unregistered land in the county.

Around 60 per cent of land in Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset is now registered - a significant increase on last year.

But Land Registry said this still leaves nearly 40 per cent of landowners without ownership protected by the state.

In Wiltshire 120,000 hectares remain unregistered, in Dorset the figure is 99,000 and in Somerset 110,000 hectares still need to be registered.

Land Registry is offering a 25 per cent discount for all those voluntarily registering their land for the first time.

Andy Woodgate, register development manager, said: "Our aim is to make the voluntary registration of ownership as straightforward as possible.

"We want to raise awareness in rural communities of how registering land modernises and simplifies existing information, reduces the amount of title paperwork and may save time and money in future by reducing the need for legal administration.

"We are delighted that 60 per cent of land in Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset is now registered and would urge all other landowners and farmers to think about registering their land."

To find out more about voluntary land registration, visit www.landregistry.gov.uk, call 0800 432 0432 or email registerland@landregistry.gsi.gov.uk