21 July 2009 - Ref 32/09
RPA has issued an information note explaining how certain land parcel boundaries will now be shown on new maps as part of the mapping update exercise.
Land parcels shown on the Rural Land Register must be enclosed by permanent physical boundaries.
In cases where boundaries appeared on maps previously agreed with RPA (but are not visible on Ordnance Survey maps or aerial photography) they will be included and shown on the maps with a 
indicating further action required.
Farmers should check all boundaries, including those marked with a 
and should either remove the boundary line from their map or make sure there is a permanent, physical boundary visible on the ground – one of the options is to use marker posts to mark the boundary on the ground.
The statement also explains:
- Rural Land Register maps show the land parcels farmed as part of the farmer’s holding - these are not necessarily the land parcels the farmer owns.
- Some maps already issued show more land parcel reference numbers changing than expected. RPA has made improvements to reduce this happening in the future.
Tony Cooper, RPA’s Chief Executive says:
“We have introduced the changes to make the process as easy as possible for farmers to check and confirm or amend their maps and have worked with the industry to try to bring this about”.
For further information please see the information note accompanying this press notice or see the RPA website
www.rpa.gov.uk/rlr
Notes to editors
1. Permanent physical boundaries accepted by RPA are:
- Fixed fences (but not temporary electric fences).
- Walls.
- Hedges (including Devon banks and Cornish hedges).
- Lines of trees.
- Raised banks.
- Water courses, such as ditches, rivers and streams.
- Changes in vegetation that are clearly visible on the ground, for example, woodland next to grass, but not crop splits).
- Boundary stones or marker posts.
- Roads or man made surfaced tracks.
2. Farmers who have not yet confirmed or amended their maps and want to include a boundary should follow the updated guidance, mark that boundary on the map and complete and return the RMU1 form.
Farmers who have already confirmed their maps are correct, but who now want to include a boundary should follow the updated guidance, mark that boundary on the map and complete and return the RMU1 form. The RMU1 form is available from our website
www.rpa.gov.uk/rlr and from our Customer Service Centre by phoning 0845 603 7777 selecting the option for the Rural Land Register.
Farmers who have already amended their maps, completed and returned the RMU1 form and who now want to include a boundary should wait until they receive their updated maps. They should then phone our Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777 selecting the option for the Rural Land Register to explain that that they wish to make further amendments. The Customer Service Centre will send out an RMU1 form to complete (also available on the website
www.rpa.gov.uk/rlr), or offer further support.
3. RPA is an Executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), providing a range of key services in support of the department’s objectives, including making rural payments, carrying out rural inspections, and livestock tracing.
4. Media only contact: Caroline Forcer, press officer, 0118 968 7680
Page published: 21 July 2009