OS mapping data to be made more accessible to the public
The public and other bodies will have greater access to a range of Ordnance Survey data from next year, as part of a Government drive to open up data to improve efficiency and transparency.
Under this initiative the Government and Ordnance Survey, Great Britain’s national mapping agency, will open up its data relating to electoral and local authority boundaries, postcode areas and mid-scale mapping information. The changes are anticipated to take effect from April 2010.
Data relating to electoral and local authority boundaries as well as postcode areas would be released for free re-use, including commercially. Mid-scale digital mapping information would also be released in the same way.
However, the highest-specification Ordnance Survey products and services – such as those used by property developers – would continue to be charged for on a cost-reflective basis.
The detail of this is still being worked through and a formal consultation period will begin in December to look at how these changes will be implemented. Ordnance Survey is committed to working with colleagues across government on developing these proposals. In the meantime we are focused on continuing to collect and maintain the most accurate mapping data of the whole of Great Britain as well as delivering an excellent service to our customers and partners.
Ordnance Survey Chairman Sir Rob Margetts says: 'I am delighted that the Prime Minister and John Denham have today made these proposals about releasing for free some of Ordnance Survey's data to support innovation, accountability and growth.
'I also very much welcome the commitment made by Government to contribute to the cost of this. This on-going commitment is fundamental to maintaining the sustained quality of Ordnance Survey's data that has made the organisation a world leader in its field. The Board of Ordnance Survey will work very closely with Government, as well as our customers, partners and others to ensure that the proposals are fully developed for consultation and implementation next year.'
Related stories
- The Public Sector Mapping Agreement (PSMA) will allow public sector, individuals and communities to access mapping data
- World wide wellspring of data sets
- Sustrans to use new funds to create online mapping facility providing personalised neighbourhood sustainable travel mapping
- OS geographic data made more accessible to the public sector through new purchasing agreement
- Public data and geographic information for planning will be made more accessible by new Government strategy
- Government frees data from OS and other public data sources for 'mash-ups', mapping schemes and new uses
- Programmme will use LIDAR to map the topography of England
- New website will map levels of environmental noise from industries, road and rail networks in 23 UK urban areas
- Politicians call for greater use of Google Maps 'mash-ups' for plotting crime
- Land Registry datasets to be freely available under the Open Government Licence
- £659m ‘Airport City’ planned for the Manchester Airport Enterprise Zone
- Localism Act: 'commencement order' officially brings new legislation into effect
- Government Red Tape Challenge spotlights housing and construction: excessive regulation to be sent to the scrapheap
- HS2: spatial planning must incorporate the social, environmental and economic considerations that impact on transport
- Build Now, Pay Later in Basingstoke: new model for delivering new housing more quickly on publicly owned land?
- Local Government Finance Bill paves way for TIF and new funding mechanisms
- Default 'yes' to development should be removed from the National Planning Policy Framework (NPFF), says CLG review
- Big Society will be 'defeated by inertia' and the 'silo mentality of Whitehall' say MPs: dedicated minister needed for progress
- LEPs should have 'key role' in the Growing Places fund and housing development, says the HCA
- New deals for cities: LEPs may get planning powers, and be involved in local housing
