PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(5 June 2025)

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, if the Commissioners will publish a map of the land the Church owns in Lewes constituency; how much land the Church owns in that constituency broken down by land use; and what proportion of that land not in agricultural use is managed with the primary aim of (a) conserving nature and (b) restoring natural ecosystems.

Asked by:
James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat)

The Church Commissioners do not own land in the constituency of Lewes, and the closest assets are situated in West Sussex and Kent.

The Church Commissioners register all farmland holdings with the Land Registry, providing public access to ownership details. Details are also available about the management of these holdings in the annual report, which is available in the House of Commons Library or online here: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/governance/national-church-institutions/church-commissioners-england/who-we-are/publications

Due to the disproportionate cost of producing and maintaining a map alongside the need to respect the interests of our tenants, the Church Commissioners do not intend to publish a map of our land holdings.

The Church Commissioners remain committed to providing updates on initiatives that support both nature and community development, including biodiversity projects, sustainable food production, and housing.

The most recent stewardship report regarding the management of our timberland and biodiversity on farmland can be found here on page 34: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/6677_cc_stewardship_v11b_0.pdf

Answered by:
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