06.02.17
Camden to build HS2-funded replacement homes for affected residents
Camden Council is currently constructing six apartment blocks to replace homes lost to the construction of HS2 ahead of the HS2 Bill’s expected Royal Assent next month.
The blocks, on the Regent’s Park estate, will provide 90 replacement homes for council tenants and leaseholders whose homes in the Euston area are earmarked for demolition by HS2 Ltd in order to build the high-speed rail project.
The cost of the development will be covered by HS2 Ltd, and comes only a few weeks after the government said that it would offer ‘fair’ compensation to residents across the country who will be affected by the construction of HS2.
Cllr Sarah Hayward, leader of Camden Council, said: “We’ve always been opposed to HS2 and its plans to demolish over 200 homes in Camden, but through hard negotiation we’ve secured the money from HS2 Ltd to build these replacement homes which will mean our residents can continue to live in their local community.
“With the help of residents and businesses, we’ve also secured over 100 assurances from HS2 Ltd on key issues like noise insulation and open space that will mitigate the worst effects of years of construction disruption.”
Prior to the compensation offer, Camden residents previously successfully opposed a proposed link between HS1 and HS2 which cut through the town centre, with the government admitting the link required “too many compromises in terms of its impact on freight, passengers and the community in Camden”.
“Our focus now is on finishing the replacement homes and holding HS2 Ltd to account to deliver on commitments on compensation, and push for a better Euston station,” Cllr Hayward said.
In addition to the six blocks, the council will use a further 70 apartments in the Regent’s Park Estate as replacement homes after a consultation revealed that two-thirds of the residents affected wished to remain within a 10-minute walk of their current homes.
Residents are due to move into their new homes mid-way through this year ahead of HS2 Ltd’s demolition of their current homes, anticipated to take place in early 2018.
The government assured those who will be affected by HS2’s construction that its compensation scheme will be founded upon a “clear and objective eligibility criterion or criteria” specifically tailored to the project after it accepted the House of Lords’ call for fairer compensation. However, no more details on the scheme have yet been provided.
Camden Council is currently pushing the government to provide more details on its proposed compensation scheme.
(Image c. Camden Council)
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