HS2 Exceptional Hardship Scheme

On 26 July 2010 the Secretary of State for Transport announced that there will be an Exceptional Hardship Scheme for those whose properties are affected by the High Speed Rail proposals. Each case will be considered on its merits and there is no specific definition of what 'in the vicinity of the proposed rail line' means. The Scheme is now open for applications. Guidance on how to apply to the EHS, & more information on the scheme can be found at the following web address:

http://www.hs2.org.uk/exceptional-hardship-scheme/EHS-Guidance-and-Application-Form-57988

From the Frequently Asked Questions attached to the guidance and application form:

What is the Exceptional Hardship Scheme and how do I apply for it?

The Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS) is a voluntary purchase scheme designed to assist certain property owners whose properties may be affected by High Speed 2 (HS2) Ltd’s recommended route for a new high speed rail line between London and the West Midlands, and who urgently need to sell their properties before any final decision on a high speed rail line is taken. The property would need to be on or in the vicinity of HS2 Ltd’s Route Option 3. Overview and detailed maps of Route Option 3 can be found at the following address:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/hs2ltd/route/.

Those property owners would need to meet certain criteria and would apply for their properties to be bought by the Government.
You can find a copy of guidance on the EHS, which contains an application form, at www.hs2.org.uk/exceptional-hardship-scheme. This explains:

- what property owners need to do in order to apply for the Government to buy their property;

- what are the circumstances under which a property could qualify for the scheme; and

- the process for dealing with applications.

Alternatively, you can get a free copy of the guidance and application form by contacting the HS2 enquiry line on 020 7944 4908. Copies are also being sent to central libraries along the line of the route.

Did I have to submit my application by 20 August if I wanted to apply for the EHS?

No. 20 August is the date on which the EHS started operation. You can now submit your application if you believe that you meet the eligibility criteria for the scheme and would like the Government to buy your property. The scheme will remain in place and applications can be submitted until at least such time as the Government takes a decision following public consultation on whether to proceed with a new high speed line and, if so, on the route that it would take. At this point, if the Government decides after consultation to proceed with a new high speed line then other arrangements would be put in place to help affected property owners. This is likely to be in late 2011. Until then, there will be no deadline by which applications for the EHS must be sent in.

I would be interested to hear from any property owners in the Steeple Claydon or Calvert area who are considering applying for this scheme.

Latest news from our local PCSO

Speeding

The Safer Roads and Neighbourhood policing teams carried out enforcement in Botolph Claydon on 15 May where 17 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were served. One of these did not have current MOT and another did not have insurance.

Local crime
When comparing Feb/Mar/April 2010 against the same period in 2009 the average crime
rate is up by only 3.4%. Burglaries show no change and vehicle crime is up by 6%.
Robberies are still at zero and have been for the past year. Anti-social behaviour is, again, down by a huge 20%. Violent crime is up by only 3 incidents. The level of crime in Bucks South is still considered to be average.

Have your say
Come and meet your Neighbourhood team to discuss any issues
you may have:
30 May Festival of Transport, Newton Longville, all day
2 June Gt Horwood Village Hall 0930-1130
5 June Waddesdon Country Show all day
16 June Mursley Village Hall 1800-1845
19 June Padbury Play Area 1145
21 June Methodist Chapel, Steeple Claydon 1330
11 July Rose Room, Winslow Centre 1200-1400
26 Aug Bucks Country Show all day

Countryside Crime/Dogwatch

Heavy machinery/plant theft costs the construction industry approx. £1m every week. Thames Valley Police is supporting Cesar, a new security system, to help combat this. The system is being extended to the rural community. Come along to the Waddesdon Country Show on 5 June to find out how you can benefit. Otherwise contact PCSO Wendy Taylor who will be pleased to visit your property to talk about the
scheme. For a limited period the cost will be discounted.

Dog fouling is another Local Area Forum priority – this could see more funds available for the provision of dog bins. A leaflet is to be produced to encourage dog owners to join Dogwatch. When printed, members of the Neighbourhood Action team will be distributing them and will be able to discuss the benefits of joining.

Community Payback
If there is something you think may improve your neighbourhood, like removing graffiti, litter or clearing an overgrown public area, let your local Probation Service know. They can get the work done by offenders as part of their punishment. It is a scheme called Community Payback. Community Payback can be given to offenders as part of a ‘community sentence’, which means the offender may have to carry out up to 300 hours of unpaid work. This work benefits the community – and means the offenders pay back the community for their crimes. In 2008//2009 100,000 offenders completed 8 million hours of work.
The Probation Service are wanting more projects – please contact them direct on www.direct.gov.uk or your Neighbourhood Policing team for details.

Steeple Claydon Brownies
PCSO John Webb will be talking to the Brownies in Steeple Claydon on 23 June 2010.

Visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk for all current information

Update on Incinerator proposals from WRG

The information below has been received from WRG, the company who operate the landfill site at Calvert and who have submitted an application to Bucks County Council for an Energy From Waste facility at Lower Greatmoor Farm, Edgcott.

'As you will know, Buckinghamshire County Council announced in March 2010 that it intended to re-open discussions on its Energy from Waste procurement contract.

In September 2009, Buckinghamshire County Council had selected Covanta as Preferred Bidder. However, an issue had emerged during their final due diligence associated with legal constraints on their site at Stewartby, Bedfordshire, which impacted on the commercial aspects of their bid.

Waste Recycling Group (WRG) had previously proposed developing an Energy from Waste facility at its landfill site at Calvert. These proposals remain the same and WRG is now preparing a full planning application and environmental impact assessment for the scheme for submission in late July 2010. The County Council will not make a decision on its Preferred Bidder until November 2010. WRG will be undertaking this work in advance of the decision being made by the Council in order not to delay the development programme should WRG be selected. The company is fully committed to working with the local community and its representatives and is proposing to undertake a programme of public consultation prior to submission of the planning application.

Exhibitions

We intend holding a series of public exhibitions in July at the following locations (subject to availability). These will be widely publicised in the local press and we also intend writing to local residents to inform them of the venues and dates, once agreed:

· Calvert Green
· Charndon
· Grendon Underwood
· Waddesdon
· Quainton
· Steeple Claydon

The final decision is due to be made by the County Council in November. Please note that there will be an exhibition in Steeple Claydon in July which everyone concerned about these proposals is invited to visit. Further information will be available nearer the time.

Swimming still free for Over 60's at Aqua Vale or Swan

From AVDC:

Swimming remains one of the best exercises for all ages to promote health and to keep fit whilst having fun.
We are now half way through the central government 2 year initiative to provide FREE casual swimming for the over 60’s. With over 10,000 free swims already enjoyed there are still many more of our 28,000 current 60+ residents in the Aylesbury Vale area still to take the plunge.
To claim your first free swim at either the Aqua Vale in Aylesbury or Swan Pool in Buckingham just take along proof of your age & identity you will be issued with a card which can be used at either site to show each time you swim.

New AVDC Winslow office opening this summer

From AVDC's 'News for the Parishes':

Legal agreements between AVDC and BCC are now complete in preparation for a new location for AVDC's Winslow Office in Summer 2010. Winslow Library will be converted to house an office for face-to-face council enquiries, saving money and increasing office and library opening hours.
Look out for details, dates and opening times this Summer.

AVDC raises concerns about High Speed Rail proposals

Aylesbury Vale District Council has submitted its response to the Department of Transport on the High Speed Rail proposals.

The Council states:
'Aylesbury Vale District Council has considered the consultation on the proposed introduction of an Exceptional Hardship Scheme alongside the proposals for High Speed Rail.
AVDC objects to the proposals for High Speed rail as set out in the Command Paper issued in March 2010 and does not feel that the business case for HS2 has been made. Therefore, without prejudicing the Council’s position in relation to HS2 generally, it is commenting on the proposed Exceptional Hardship Scheme consultation.'

Of particular interest to residents of the Claydons are the proposals for a maintenance depot to be located near the point where the HSR2 line crosses over (or is crossed over by) the East West Rail line, and the eligibility of those with properties in the vicinity of this development to apply to the exceptional hardship scheme for compensation - a point I raised at the special Council meeting where the plans were discussed.

I am glad to report that the Council has picked up on this point in its submission:

'Close Vicinity – This is not defined and there needs to be a flexible approach to this. The exact vicinity of impact will vary depending on the precise circumstances. Again the first principle of whether any loss and impact on value can be demonstrated needs to apply and this in turn will determine the vicinity that the scheme has impacted on. The scheme should also apply to those areas likely to be affected by some of the uses that will be ancillary to the effective operation of the railway including the maintenance depot and any service centres required along the route.'

High Speed Rail Proposal

The peace and tranquillity of the Claydons is being threatened by the Government's High Speed Rail proposals. These include the reopening of the Great Central Line north of Calvert, running between Twyford and Steeple Claydon, as well as a maintenance depot in the Steeple Claydon area, adjacent to the East West Railway (due to reopen in 2016). There will be no station anywhere on the line between London and Birmingham.

Aylesbury Vale District Council is holding a special meeting to discuss the proposals
on 14th April.

Meanwhile the Council has issued the following statement:

'AVDC dismayed at High Speed Two rail proposal

The gloves are off as Aylesbury Vale District Council prepares to make its first response to the proposal for a new High Speed Rail between Birmingham and London.
Leader of the Council, Councillor John Cartwright, said: “We’ve plotted the route through Aylesbury Vale and we’re dismayed at the negative impact this could have on our district. Large sections of the line would be by viaducts or on embankments, leaving little scope for reducing the noise level or visual impact. Aylesbury Vale may not have large swathes of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but it does have wonderful rolling countryside, fantastic views and landscapes, which give it its name. Many villages and wonderful properties from Wendover in the south to Tingewick in the north of the Vale would be affected by this route if it goes ahead.”
He added: “As a major growth area with challenging housing and job targets set by the government, it’s even more galling that the route proposed wouldn’t even stop in any part of our district, so there is not even an economic benefit for the Vale. The government has set out a very ambitious timetable for opening the line but we are putting them on notice now that they are in for a very long fight.”
Prior to the announcement, AVDC and its partners already have been active to ensure that Buckinghamshire's residents were protected, and that there was no lasting damage to the unique landscape.
During the writing of the report representatives from the county and district councils have been strongly lobbying Lord Adonis and MPs along with the High Speed Two Company. However, the shared concerns have not been taken on board in the draft proposal.
AVDC will be working with its partners to agree the next steps and how it can help inform the local community about the route and the details of the public consultation planned for autumn.'


A number of constituents have already contacted me about these plans, and I am aware that there is great concern about the implications for our villages.

There is a particular concern about the proposed maintenance depot, about which there is little clear information in the existing plans. The map which has been provided by the Department of Transport merely shows an arrow pointing towards Steeple Claydon (which is off the map) along the East West Rail line towards a 'new manitenance depot', with no clear indication of its location or size.

Elsewhere in the plans it is stated that the maintenance depot will be based on the existing Singlewell Depot in Kent alongside the High Speed 1 line. This is a depot for infrastructure (track, signals, points etc) only and not a rolling stock maintenance depot, but it includes office accommodation, workshops, maintenance sheds, rail plant, fuelling points and parking for 150 cars. It would be in operation 24 hours a day and be floodlit at night.

I shall request further information on the size and location of this depot, as the exisiting plans lack clarity and detail.

In general, I think the proposals are deeply flawed. A route which is not directly connected to the existing High Speed One line, Thameslink or any of the London Airports cannot be the right strategic decision. It has all the hallmarks of the proposal of a Government which knows it will not be in power to implement it, and is yet another reason to throw this wretched Government out of office on May 6th.