HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport have announced information on changes to the HS2 route and related compensation schemes. Along with the deposit of the Bill in Parliament for Phase 2a of the HS2 route (Lichfield to Crewe), announcements have been made in relation to Phase 2b (the Crewe to Manchester and Birmingham to Leeds routes).
The Safeguarding guidance for property owners has been updated and a Rural Support Zone has been launched for Phase 2b, following the property consultation that concluded earlier in 2017. All of the information about the route change can be found on gov.uk.
A new version of the Statutory Blight and Express purchase guidance has been produced. The full set of Safeguarding Directions for Phase 2b has been re-published and all Local Planning Authorities have been contacted.
Property owners who are subject to change in safeguarding should have received letters from HS2 outlining the following changes:
New Rural Support Zone guidance is now available and Rural Support Zone plans have been published. These primarily confirm the ‘corridor’ that was consulted on previously but there are some changes to the urban/rural split where the Rural Support Zone begins and ends, which will bring more properties into the Rural Support Zone. For more information visit gov.uk.
Homeowner Payments which are shown on all plans are not available for Phase 2b until after the Bill has been passed by Parliament (received Royal Assent), which is expected to be 2022.
The Need to Sell scheme which was launched last November for the Phase 2b route has been re-confirmed by the announcement on the consultation and hence remains open for applications from those who have already been trying to sell their property and have a compelling reason to sell, but cannot due to the impact of HS2 on the local property market. For more information on this visit gov.uk/claim-compensation-if-affected-by-hs2.
Below are links to all the useful Government web pages and documents mentioned above.
This will provide access to the full range of safeguarding information related to the HS2 rail network.
More info
Government information for property owners who require information on HS2 safeguarding and serving blight notice
A Department for Transport document explaining the route decision for Phase 2b of the HS2 Rail Network
This guidance explains the two schemes available for the rural support zone and details of how to apply for a scheme.
Maps showing the boundaries for the Phase 2b property schemes that cover Crewe to Manchester and West Midlands to Leeds.
The Government's response to the HS2 Phase 2b property consultation that ran from 15 November 2016 until 9 March 2017.
Information explaining the compensation process and how to claim if your property is affected by the HS2 route.