Farmers who have their buildings compulsorily purchased by HS2 could run into difficulties with planning authorities when trying to rebuild replacement farm houses and agricultural buildings on a different part of their land.
There is great uncertainty whether such planning applications will be approved, and there could be long delays if a case goes to appeal.
We are concerned that farm businesses will not be able to withstand delays to replacing farm buildings which might be to provide livestock housing, grain and potato storage.
We were therefore encouraged by the views of Select Committee chairman Robert Syms, in a letter this week to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Eric Pickles.
He wrote:
“…local planning policy for this area of green belt means permission to build will be granted only upon demolition of the existing farmhouses, the policy being that there should be no net gain in accommodation.
“Applying a planning policy too rigidly ignores the special circumstances arising from construction of the railway: a policy of protecting green belt might sensibly be adjusted to allow for individual buildings to be retained where they remain useful and where the new buildings have been essentially forced on those affected as a way to remain in the area while reducing the impact of the railway.
“Could a set of guidelines be agreed to deal with such situations?”
NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “Planning for replacement buildings was one of the key issues we raised when we made our presentation to the Select Committee in November. We are encouraged by the Chairman’s letter to the Secretary of State requesting specific planning guidelines. It would clearly be unfair for farmers and their families who are losing their homes to HS2 to struggle with red tape when attempting to rebuild on their own land.”
What we said about replacement buildings
Our presentation to the HS2 Select Committee in November included the following points about replacement buildings:
• The construction of the railway will necessitate the
demolition of some residential dwellings, farm buildings,
storage facilities, workshops and industrial units.
• Farm businesses will want to replace dwellings and farm
buildings but to do this full planning applications will have
to be made.
• There is great uncertainty as to whether planning
applications will be approved.
• Long time delays if a case goes to appeal.
• Farm businesses will not be able to withstand delays to
replacing farm buildings which might be to provide
livestock housing, grain and potato storage.