HS2 Phase Two exceptional hardship scheme consultation

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.