CLA takes HS2 fight to Parliament

The CLA has said it will continue to fight for fair treatment over HS2 and has submitted an 18-point petition to Parliament.

The organisation said the petition outlined many unaddressed issues that are disadvantaging landowners and businesses along the route of the high speed rail line.

CLA President Henry Robinson said: “We are fighting for a duty of care for those suffering land take by HS2 Ltd – this is at the heart of our petition.

“Those affected by the scheme should be central to any decision making. Proper communication between HS2 Ltd and landowners would have resulted in less land being taken.

“Many farms, businesses and homes stand to lose vast swathes of land or have land cut in half by the route as HS2 Ltd arbitrarily land grab to compensate for its environmental impact.”


The CLA is also petitioning for a fair compensation system where purely market value does not address the real losses.

Mr Robinson said: “The current system for compensation does not adequately reflect the need to replace lost buildings or homes, nor the planning hurdles involved.

“Many buildings will be left unoccupied as a result of the scheme in these cases the landowner should not have to pay empty property rates or council tax.

“Blight has made some properties unsellable and stalled vital business decisions. Various voluntary schemes proposed by the Government address only a portion of those affected, leaving others to shoulder the financial loss.”

As part its 18-point petition the CLA includes compensation for minerals used, late compensation payments subject to a commercial rate of interest and indefinite roll over relief.