HS2 Phase One: Property Consultation 2014

Tuesday 8th July 2014 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Patrick McLoughlin)]

Further to my commitment in the 9 April decision document “Property Compensation Consultation 2013 for the London-West Midlands HS2 route”, I am today announcing to the House the launch of a consultation on additional assistance for people near the route of phase 1 of the proposed high-speed railway, between London and the west midlands.

The “Property Consultation 2014” sets out two proposals:

An “alternative cash offer” that would give rural owner occupiers within the rural support zone a choice between selling their home to the Government for what it would have been worth had there been no plans for HS2 and remaining in their home and receiving 10% of that value. We would apply a minimum payment of £30,000 and payments would be capped at £100,000. This scheme would launch by the end of 2014 and last until one year after the trains start running; and

A “homeowner payment scheme” that would give rural home owners outside the voluntary purchase area but within 300 metres of the line the opportunity to share in the benefits of HS2 as it would run near them but will not provide them with a direct benefit. We are proposing to taper payments as follows: owner occupiers between 120 metres and 180 metres of the centre line of the railway would receive £22,500, those between 180 metres and 240 metres £15,000 and those between 240 metres and 300 metres £7,500.

The Government are committed to assisting those who are impacted by HS2. These proposals build on the comprehensive package of compensation and assistance which I set out in April.

This consultation will close on 30 September 2014.