Proposed High Speed 2 (HS2) Railway line to go through Buckinghamshire
Home Owners take note!

Earlier this year the details of the new High Speed 2 (HS2) railway line from London Euston to Birmingham were released. Whilst this will be good news for long distance travellers, the proposals could have a profound effect on home owners near to the proposed route, particularly if they are considering selling their property.

To many home owners and effected parties they will consider their property blighted by this proposal.  However, in legal and planning terms Blight has a very strict definition and requires precise criteria to be met to qualify.  Until the route is safeguarded by a direction from the Secretary of State the blight provisions will not apply.  Although such a direction could well be some time away the effects on purchasers perceptions will remain and home owners could see the value of their property reduced, but have no recourse to compensation!

The Government is currently consulting on an Exceptional Hardship Scheme which will aim to redress this imbalance.  However, the scheme will only be open to residential owner-occupiers, and only then in limited circumstances.

If you would like to discus compensation eligibility and the proposed Exceptional Hardship Scheme or the issue of blight, please contact;

Neil Fraser:  Tel: 01908 558748.
Andrew Wright:  Tel 01908 678800

Consultation on the route proposal of the High Speed 2 (HS2) railway line closes on 20 May.