Member Article

Land Registry helps Durham Cathedral secure future

The owners of Durham Cathedral have enlisted the help of Land Registry to register the cathedral, its grounds and other properties in order to simplify property transactions and record-keeping for future generations.

Jon Williams, land agent for The Chapter of Durham, said: “Durham Cathedral has owned property for hundreds of years. In that time purchases, sales and lettings have regularly occurred and not all the records are up to modern standards. “Voluntary registration of all the cathedral property should simplify record keeping and ensure a reduction in time taken to respond to the many inquiries we receive each year.”

Land Registry is the government department responsible for registering land ownership in England and Wales. It is currently running a campaign to encourage people and organisations to identify and register what they own.

Harry Charlton, Register Development Manager, said: “Almost 40 per cent of land in Durham and across the North East remains unregistered. We know that farmers and landowners live busy lives but we hope they will take a little time to pause and think to secure their future. “Durham Cathedral is an important site and its owners have recognised the value of registering the land, even for a site as well known as this, and we would encourage others to follow suit.”

Once registered, owners have the title to their land guaranteed by the state and buying and selling can be easier. To find out more about the voluntary registration scheme, visit the Land Registry website or call 0800 432 0432.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .