HS2 Phase Two exceptional hardship scheme consultation

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Detail of outcome

The Government launched the Exceptional Hardship Scheme for Phase Two of HS2 from the West Midlands to Manchester and Leeds, along with a summary report for the consultation and a decision document outlining the Government’s response to the issues raised during the consultation.

The consultation began on 28 January 2013 and was due to finish on 29 April 2013. However, the consultation was extended and closed instead at 17:00 on 20 May 2013.

Original consultation

Consultation description

This consultation asks for views on the detail of the Government’s proposal to introduce a discretionary Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS) for Phase Two of HS2 from the West Midlands to Leeds and Manchester.

Most large infrastructure projects compensate property owners only at a later stage of the project’s development, when statutory compensation measures apply. Given the time it will take to deliver HS2, the Government recognises that an earlier discretionary scheme is an important means of helping those property owners who are most severely affected by the proposals. The EHS is intended as an interim measure which would remain in place until such time as the statutory compensation measures apply.

The scheme would be available to eligible residential and small business owner-occupiers whose property value may be affected by the initial preferred route options for Phase Two of HS2 and who can demonstrate that they have an urgent need to sell. It would provide a mechanism by which those who meet the criteria can sell their property to the Government for the unaffected market value. The consultation document provides details of the Government’s proposals for:

the categories of property owners whose interests this scheme is intended to assist
the criteria against which applications would be considered; and
the application process.