HS2 update and the local property market
Sadly, I fear HS2 is now inevitable. Following the announcement last month, the government appear to have the bit firmly between their teeth and it seems they will push this through no matter what. Choosing to ignore the points raised in the public ‘consultation’ period is evidence of this. The cases for the scheme have been ridiculed at every turn, yet the train keeps rolling. So, whilst the final route is not set in stone, sadly the scheme looks like it will go ahead in some form.
Whilst we all wish this hair brained scheme would just disappear, we need to be realistic and so mitigation should now be the name of the game. The government has made some changes to the route to lessen the impact, such as the southerly shift of the route at Amersham and the extended tunnel out to Hyde Heath and Little Missenden. Whilst I am horrified at the thought of what a huge twin bore tunnel will do to the natural underground waterways and springs in the area, this is a step in the right direction and a lesser evil than being above ground. There have been one or two other minor changes through the Chilterns but not nearly enough and this is now where the focus needs to be directed.
The property market in the immediate surroundings of the route has had a very uncertain time since the scheme was first announced. The government’s announcement at least gives the immediate market along the line a little certainty but not really in a good way. It may allow transactions to happen, but they will be at reduced prices. Strangely it seems the closer you are to the route the better off you may end up being. Property owners whose land is required for either the building of or for access to the line will be compulsorily purchased. For those people whose land is not required but are possibly just as badly affected will have a tougher time as they will have to wait until one year after the line has been used ( anticipated to be 2026) before any compensation could be due. This could be a very bitter pill to swallow if they are looking to move on in the next 14 years.
I have been talking to many people looking to buy property in the Chilterns recently and understandably there is a real concern over HS2. One of our clients even pushed their search across to South Oxfordshire because they were so concerned about the possible impact. Whilst certain areas of the Chilterns will be badly affected by HS2, the majority of the area won’t be so I would urge potential buyers not to tar the whole of the Chilterns with the HS2 brush. Look at the details of the route before making any decisions and take advice. Despite HS2 the Chilterns will remain a fantastic place to live offering wonderful scenery, some of the best State Schooling in the country and very quick routes into London via the Chiltern Line.
Links to the proposed route maps:
- Map 6: Route from Chalfont St Peter to Brentford Wood – drawing number HS2-ARP-00-DR-RW-05006 (PDF – 6581 KB)
- Map 7: Route from Amersham to Little Missenden – drawing number HS2-ARP-00-DR-RW-05007 (PDF – 8875 KB)
- Map 8: Route from Mantle’s Wood to Wendover Dean – drawing number HS2-ARP-00-DR-RW-05008 (PDF – 5345 KB)
- Map 9: Route from Wendover Dean to Stoke Mandeville – drawing number HS2-ARP-00-DR-RW-05009 (PDF – 9210 KB)
Posted in Buckinghamshire, Chilterns Villages, HS2 Tagged buckinghamshire buying agent, Buckinghamshire Homefinder, Chilterns Homefinder, High Speed rail Chilterns, HS2 Chilterns
Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.
