The Secretary of State issued updated Safeguarding Directions and zoned property schemes for Phase 2b (the Crewe to Manchester and West Midlands to Leeds routes) in June 2019 to reflect route changes.
Safeguarding is an established part of the planning process, designed to ensure land which has been identified for major infrastructure projects is protected from conflicting developments.
High Speed Two (HS2) Limited and the Department for Transport have updated the safeguarding guidance for property owners. Over 2,000 letters have been sent to all affected property owners where the Safeguarding Directions have been updated.
Guidance for selling homes and small businesses via the Statutory Blight or Express Purchase process now applies to all phases.
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.
Under the extension of the statutory safeguarded area, those eligible to claim statutory compensation will increase.
The Department for Transport has created guidance and FAQs for the Need to Sell scheme. Launched in 2016, the scheme 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.
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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 consultation on 11 proposed design refinements to the HS2 Phase 2b route.
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.
Guidance and FAQs for the HS2 need to sell scheme alongside an application form to begin the process.