Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when domestic properties located in Newton purchased as part of the HS2 project will be brought back onto the property market for purchase.

The government recognises there is a desire for more detail on the long-term future of the properties acquired for HS2, following the lifting of safeguarding along the former Phase 2 Eastern Leg and the announcement of the planned disposal programme for Phase 2 properties in July this year.

The government is currently procuring a specialist agent to lead development of a disposal strategy and to deliver the programme. The programme will start on the former Eastern Leg. We expect to begin sales on the open market from Spring 2026 onwards. We aim to dispose of surplus property in a sensitive and sensible way in compliance with Treasury rules. We will ensure that wherever possible tenancies can come to their natural end and that we do not flood local markets.