Land safeguarded either side of HS2 (From Knutsford Guardian)

Land safeguarded either side of HS2

8:20am Thursday 10th January 2013 in News

A FIRM of Knutsford chartered surveyors, which has been dealing with property owners affected by the first phase of HS2, has told the Guardian what readers should expect if they are affected by the scheme.

Hugh Maxfield, partner at the Knutsford office of Chartered Surveyors Fisher German, said: “Only those properties directly on the line of the rail link are likely to be purchased by the Government.

“However, our experience acting for a large number of property owners on the first phase shows that the effects extend much further.

“The route of phase one has now proceeded through consultation, and a safeguarded area of 60 metres either side of the line has been established, preventing new development that would obstruct the railway.

“Some provision has been made to assist those with properties blighted by the line through the Exceptional Hardship Scheme and its replacement Advanced Voluntary Purchase Scheme.

“In the meantime some steps may be considered in advance. Businesses will want to ensure that they have the right ownership structure in place to minimise the impact of HS2.

“Property owners may wish to crystallise latent planning or development potential before the route is safeguarded, to add value to their property and maximise compensation in due course.”