CONCERNS have been raised over controversial plans to revive the sell-off of the Land Registry - with the potential loss of hundreds of jobs in the region.

The likely £1bn privatisation of the 150-year-old institution, which employs more than 400 civil servants in Durham City, was suspended indefinitely, following an outcry last year.

The decision then followed strong criticism from solicitors and trade unions about putting a private firm in charge of all land and property data and the threat of higher charges for the public.

Now, according to sources, Chancellor George Osborne is dusting off the plans and could reveal details for a partial sale into private hands in next week's Autumn Statement.

Union leaders have pledged a “massive campaign” against any threat of removal of the service from the public sector – backed by Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods who said she will continue to oppose the plans.

Dr Blackman-Woods said today: “I am completely against any partial sale of the Land Registry and frankly I am incredibly disappointed to hear of the Chancellor’s plans.

“Not only is the Land Registry a fantastic resource, it is a vital employer and I know any partial sale would lead to redundancies, both across the country and in my constituency of Durham.

“I fought against this in the last Parliament and I will continue to oppose these plans if they do come to fruition.”

Kim Lowes, vice-chair of the Land Registry branch of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said: "We are aware reports that the chancellor has appointed (the investment bank) Rothschild to examine all options for the sale Land Registry but have no further details at the moment.

“PCS members are understandably very concerned. We have defeated the notion of privatisation last year and PCS are ready to mount a massive campaign if there is any threat of removal of the Land Registry from the public sector.

The Land Registry has 14 offices spread across the country, with over 400 member of staff working in Duorham City.

Sir Vince Cable scrapped the plans last year following rows between Conservative and Liberal Democrat ministers.

It is thought the Land Registry could be worth around £1.2bn.

The Land Registry - which is part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) - is the UK's most comprehensive source of house prices, because all property buyers must use it to register ownership. It employs around 4,500 people nationally.

The reported privatisation of the Land Registry comes amid a privatisation spree being led by Mr Osborne to help shore up Britain's public finances and reduce the UK's spiralling debt.

A spokesman for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills said: “The Government keeps all the assets it holds or manages under review in order to ensure we’re getting best value for taxpayers.”