Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced that the proposed HS2 route between London and the West Midlands is now protected from future development which might conflict with the planned high speed line. The move, known as ‘safeguarding’, issued under the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2010, gives safeguarding directions to Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) along most of the route of phase one of HS2, and is an important step in making the first phase of the HS2 project a reality.
It will also enable people living near the proposed HS2 route from London to the West Midlands to approach the government to buy their property under statutory Blight procedures. Successful applicants will receive the un-blighted open market value of their property, plus 10% – up to £47,000 and moving costs.
Patrick McLoughlin said:
“HS2 is moving from the drawing board towards construction. Safeguarding is an important milestone for homeowners and for planning purposes. It shows we are determined to deliver this once-in-a generation opportunity to drive growth, generate jobs, and secure our country’s future prosperity.”
More details on the announcement can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/hs2-safeguarding-the-phase-one-london-to-the-west-midlands-route