HS2 Gets Approval

In what has been the most leaked decision this week, the in principle approval of the Southern section of HS2 has now been made public.

Anybody affected by a proposed Compulsory Purchase can object, and when any request for the granting of Compulsory Purchase powers is sought then property owners may become Statutory Objectors in most schemes. It is often possible for such Objectors to either obtain additional undertakings or to have their objection heard. Even in 'simplified procedure cases' the right to object is a fundamental principle, however the procedure is defined. The business case for any works is the key to the final decision, in my view, and hence objections are likely to focus on the details there.

But however heart-felt the cause, my experience of infrastructure schemes is that should the objections not be upheld, and the scheme receive formal approval then if anyone did need bailiffs to encourage leave on the final date for possession, they rarely obtain the best compensation. They would receive no more and no less than they would have had they moved out without such action. I would not want to be in the line of the route, but if it is approved then claimants are best served by honest advice which means negotiating a full and fair settlement having regard to market values and recouping other allowed costs incurred plus the available special allowances such as owner occupiers Home Loss.

Compulsory purchase is a specialised matter and Chartered Surveyors with the relevant experience should be able to help in what are often emotional times. You can obtain information on firms via the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors website - www.rics.org.uk . If you have any questions, do please contact us via chris@hunt-scott.co.uk.