Land Registry, the government department responsible for land registration in England and Wales, has exceeded its annual target and is well on course to achieving its aim of a comprehensive land register, according to the Annual Report and Accounts 2006-2007.

Almost 60 per cent of land in England and Wales is now registered on the national land database - up from just 48 per cent two years ago. More than 700,000 hectares - an area the size of Cumbria - have been registered in the past year.

Introducing the report, Chief Land Registrar and Chief Executive Peter Collis said it was a "major accomplishment" which had largely been achieved by explaining the benefits of voluntary registration to larger landowners.


The report also shows that customers declaring themselves satisfied or very satisfied with Land Registry's range of services. More than half said they were very satisfied with the service provided.

"At the heart of our vision for the future is a Land Registry even more focused on its customers' needs now, tailoring its services to their particular requirements," said Mr Collis.

"Last year we took significant steps in this direction by developing and marketing a range of commercial services and launching our new House Price Index.

"In the coming year we will continue to develop these and other new services and will put even more effort into bringing them to the attention of the huge range of businesses and individuals whom we believe could benefit from them," he said.

(JM/SP)