Cadastre and rural land management : rural estate structure and management in the United Kingdom
Wilson, Ronald Marshall
In the course of a hundred years, landed estate structure in the United Kingdom has changed dramatically from predominantly a landlord/tenant system to that of owner-occupation, principally due to the effects of Estate Duty and taxation. Security of tenure granted to agricultural tenants by successive legislation since 1947 has frustated the re-structuring of agricultural holdings by private landowners. Land tenure in the U.K. is basically restricted to owner-occupation and cash tenancy, with a change in the last decade to partnership and co-ownership, the latter principally at the instance of institutional investors. Land management of the 70's and 80's is management of land resources, including recreation, leisure and forestry. The importance of the leisure industry is becoming increasingly recognised, with tourism and recreation providing additional sources of income to landowners. Current taxation, particularly capital transfer tax and a possible wealth tax, will inevitably lead to further fragmentation of private estates. a reduction in the supply of farms to let, and lack of incentive to invest in capital improvements. The importance of progressive land management in this context is emphasized.
Event: FIG XVth International Congress of Surveyors
Only personal, non-commercial use of this document is allowed.