Homeowners urged: 'Sort HS2 compensation claims now' (From Bucks Free Press)

Homeowners urged: 'Sort HS2 compensation claims now'

11:20am Friday 24th December 2010 in News By James Nadal

HIGH SPEED 2 compensation claims should be finalised as soon as possible, home owners have been urged.

The £33bn line will cut through the Buckinghamshire countryside, as expected, it was confirmed this week.

James Del Mar head of propety agents Knight Frank HS2 team said:

"Now that the government has confirmed its intentions in regard to the High Speed Rail link between London and Birmingham, it is essential for those who have a valid Exceptional Hardship Scheme claim to finalise those claims and have them submitted as, once the route is "safeguarded", the EHS will close.”

The scheme is designed to compensate householders who have to sell their homes or commercial property, but have seen the value fall because of their property's proximity to the proposed HS2 route.

Mr Del Mar said: "For the worst affected, there remains the opportunity to make a claim under Statutory Blight or, in due course, through the normal Compulsory Purchase and Compensation procedures where land required for the actual route has been taken.

“For those where no land is being taken, current legislation does not enable a claim to be made until after the line has been first used currently estimated at 2026.”

Currently HS2 is operating its discretionary Exceptional Hardship Scheme only for home owners who prove a need to sell their properties now.

But Marcus Blake of property consultants Fisher German said “HS2 bosses need to soon announce a scheme for home owners near the route which provides compensation when they need it - rather than having to wait for it to be completed.

Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond has begun preparing another scheme to aid those whose homes that will see a significant reduction in value – even though they will not be knocked down to build the line.

Details on this separate scheme will emerge from next year's public consultation.

Mr Blake also advised residents to look at “minor changes in the latest maps” because of alterations to the original plans announced this week.