Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Summary

To consider the Council’s draft responses to the Governments High Speed 2 consultations on Compensation and Safeguarding.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To approve the draft response to the government’s two consultation documents as set out in appendix 1 and appendix 2.

Resolved

(1)               That the draft responses to the Government’s High Speed 2 Consultation documents on Property and Compensation and Safeguarding be approved for submission, subject to the inclusion of the following:

·        Inclusion of support for leaseholders and tenants in relation to properties and businesses

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report which sought consideration of the Council’s draft responses to the Governments High Speed 2 (HS2) consultations on Compensation and Safeguarding.

Executive was advised that the Property Compensation Consultation set out a proposed package of measures designed for owners and occupiers of property along the London-West Midlands line of the route. The Safeguarding Consultation was aimed primarily at local planning authorities along the line of the route, who would be aware of relevant planning issues in their areas and to whom the directions would apply.

In considering the draft consultation responses, Members stressed that whilst they remained opposed to HS2, the council had a duty to protect its residents should it materialise. Members also noted that tenants and businesses would be affected and should therefore be included in the consultation response.

Resolved

(1)               That the draft responses to the Government’s High Speed 2 Consultation documents on Property and Compensation and Safeguarding be approved for submission, subject to the inclusion of the following:

·        Inclusion of support for leaseholders and tenants in relation to properties and businesses

Reasons

It is our duty as a local planning authority to ensure that our district, our residents and businesses do not suffer as a result of High Speed 2. The draft consultation responses have identified substantial flaws within the Governments proposed approach to compensation and safeguarding.

Options

Option One – Do nothing

Option Two - Respond as proposed. CDC is the Local Planning Authority and

the only public body able to respond on matters of detail relating to the route now that it has been confirmed by Government. Failure to discharge this role will leave the District at considerable disadvantage.

Option Three - Amend the proposed response.