Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the decision by the Upper Tribunal (Land Chamber) on 10 February, that owners of land and property being purchased by HS2 Ltd can apply for a Certificate of Appropriate Alternative Development, on the (1) capital cost, and (2) construction programme, of HS2.

Certificates of Appropriate Alternative Development (‘CAADs’) are an existing mechanism enshrined in the Compensation Code that can assist in establishing the level of compensation payable to affected parties and have no impact on the construction schedule.

The property cost estimate anticipates that some claimants will seek a CAAD and be issued with a positive certificate by the local planning authority or award of the Upper Tribunal.

On the substance of this case, there is an on-going legal process and we do not provide commentary on live litigation.