The CLA has submitted a petition to parliament outlining the disadvantages to landowners and business along the proposed high-speed rail line (HS2).
Adequate compensation for those who have had land taken off them is at the heart of the 18-point campaign, including compensation for minerals used, late compensation payments subject to a commercial rate of interest and indefinite roll over relief.
“The current system for compensation does not adequately reflect the need to replace lost buildings or homes, nor the planning hurdles involved,” said CLA president, Henry Robinson.
“Many buildings will be left unoccupied as a result of the scheme in these cases the landowner should not have to pay empty property rates or council tax.”
He added that blight caused by HS2 has made some properties unsellable and stalled vital business decisions, and that voluntary schemes proposed by the government only address some of those affected, leaving others to shoulder financial loss.
The CLA said it is fighting for “a duty of care” towards those suffering land take by HS2.
“Many farms, businesses and homes stand to lose vast swathes of land or have land cut in half by the route as HS2 Ltd arbitrarily land grab to compensate for its environmental impact,” Robinson said.
“Those affected by the scheme should be central to any decision making. Proper communication between HS2 Ltd and landowners would have resulted in less land being taken.”
The CLA, which has around 33,000 members, advises landowners on how to protect their land.
The first phase of HS2 between London Euston and Birmingham will open in 2026, followed by a V-shaped second section in 2033, going to Manchester and Leeds, with a total budget of £42.6bn.
It has been met with much opposition from local campaigners, and several prominent MPs.
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