TABLEY couple Trevor and Justine Palin have been given the green light to sue HS2 by a leading compulsory purchase barrister.

For the past seven years Justine and Trevor Palin have been battling with HS2 to agree what they say is a fair, open market valuation for their family home, which they claim is blighted as a result of the HS2 compulsory purchase scheme.

The Palins’ home is due for demolition to make way for the Crewe to Manchester spur of HS2.

They say every offer from HS2 has been significantly below the property’s actual market value, which has left them with no choice but to take formal legal action.

In February Mr and Mrs Palin launched a CrowdJustice appeal and raised the funds needed to present their case to one of the UK’s leading compulsory purchase experts, barrister Barry Denyer-Green of Falcon Chambers.

Following a meeting with Mr Denyer-Green the Palins are now in a position to take legal proceedings against the Secretary of State for Transport’s department in connection with their HS2 claim for fair compensation, which will include an open market price for their property, plus 10 per cent uplift, ancillary heads of claims and disturbance costs, totalling well into six figures.

Commenting on the meeting with Mr Denyer-Green, Trevor Palin, who suffered a breakdown in 2018 as a result of prolonged stress and anxiety, said: “We have presented our case to one of the country’s leading compulsory purchase barristers who has confirmed that we do have a case to bring against HS2.

“If HS2 had offered us the open market price back in 2015, we could have moved on with our lives and there would have been no need to go to court.

“The sad reality is that we’re not alone and we know that there are many people living along the length of the proposed route whose lives have been similarly blighted.”

An HS2 spokesman said last month: “We recognise that every situation is unique and have set up a package of property assistance schemes, including compensation measures to assist people who are directly impacted by the railway.

"There are no compulsory purchase notices on any properties on the Phase Two route.

"We have been in discussions with the Palins since 2017 regarding the valuation of their property, to reach a fair and amicable agreement.

"We are committed to paying fair and reasonable compensation to all affected parties, as well as seeking a fair deal for the taxpayer.”