The petition highlighted key NFU objections to the HS2 Hybrid Bill and states areas of the Bill which will directly negatively impact the future and sustainability of the farm businesses affected.
Parliamentary roll A agent, Sharpe Pritchard, developed a petition to give a comprehensive overview of the high level issues facing the agricultural sector with regards to such developments. For example, we made recommendations regarding improved compensation measures for farm businesses and land owners and we questioned HS2 ltd over the amount of land to be taken out of production for environmental mitigation to create habitats away from the line. Furthermore all temporary land take should be acquired on a construction lease.
To read the full petition, please click here.
The NFU has also supported members who are directly affected by HS2 developments to petition the Bill. Through the Legal Assistance Scheme (LAS) the NFU gave financial and professional support to help members write, populate and submit their petitions.
Working with the Parliamentary Agent, Sharpe Pritchard; members could apply for a petition template which they could personalise directly to their agricultural holding. Sharpe Pritchard also provided a ‘health check’ service which allowed for petitions to be checked before they were submitted on the 23 May. Over 50 NFU members took this opportunity up and submitted petitions before the deadline of the 23 May.
Submitting a petition formally will now give our members the right to stand before the Select Committee in the future to give evidence on how the construction of HS2 will affect their businesses.