THE PROPOSED HS2 route through Stafford Borough may be out in the open but compensation provision is yet to be set in stone, an Eccleshall- based land compensation expert has warned.
As vice chair to the Valuation, Compensation and Taxation Committee of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers Mr Bedson has been working with other organisations including the NFU and Country Landowners’ Association to ensure that compensation provisions work best for those affected.
Last week the Newsletter reported on the effect the line will have on Stafford farmer Richard Williams’ land.
He was devastated to find out it will cut through his farm off Weston Road, affecting his family’s bed and breakfast business.
Mr Bedson, head of Hinson Parry and Company’s land compensation team said: “The scheme will come as very unwelcome news to many.
“Whilst the proposed route of the line has been announced, and whilst there is a stated intent to build High Speed Rail along this route, there is at present no ‘scheme’ in the legal sense.
"This means that the compensation provisions remain rather limited until such time as the route becomes finalised and safeguarded - the process whereby the route becomes finalised and local authorities prevent further development along the transport corridor.
“But what I can say is that we have been working hard with the NFU and CLA to ensure that the initial blight compensation provisions are as effective as possible.
"It is essential that those affected now give some serious thought as to how the scheme might impact on their properties and businesses.
“Once the route north goes through the safeguard- ing process compensation provisions are far clearer.”
