A public consultation opens on Monday 10 July 2017 on proposals
to reduce planning restrictions along the high speed rail route,
known as HS1, between
London St Pancras and the Channel Tunnel.
As a long-term infrastructure project, HS1 is protected under planning
regulations which restrict development alongside or close to it.
Known as ‘safeguarding’, the regulations do not prevent
development taking place near large-scale schemes
like HS1, but do ensure
that they allow access to, and protection of, the infrastructure
itself.
During construction and early operation of HS1, it was essential to safeguard large
parts of the network to ensure that the rail line could be
completed and run successfully.
But since the route opened in 2007, the need to maintain all the
original planning controls close to it has gradually reduced.
The public consultation will last for 4 weeks until 13 August
2017. Among the proposals under consultation are:
- reducing the safeguarding boundary next to the route from 60
metres to 30 metres
- removing 53% of the existing land (equivalent to 14
square km) next
to HS1from safeguarding
restrictions
- retaining safeguarding restrictions for all tunnels along the
route
Rail Minister said:
HS1 has been a success
story for 10 years now, providing a high speed link between
London and stations in continental Europe. These proposed
changes will have no effect on the high speed service for
passengers. They will simply reduce the restrictions on
developments close to it.
The final report is expected to be produced within 3 months of
the closing date for public consultation.
