HS2 concerns

hkontowtt

Me and my partner are looking to buy a house soon and in our searches have found one house which is really good for us. However there's a catch, its close to the proposed HS2 line between Birmingham and Leeds. However this line isn't confirmed yet. I'm just concerned as to what affect this could have on the house and us living in it long term? Does anyone have any advice??

TBeckett100

Depends how close it runs. If your countryside views becomes a train line then prices will fall. If your windows back onto neighbours' knickers on the line, there won't be much difference

Davesnave

I presume you re aware of this map, which shows impact reach for Phase 1, so you could perhaps study that and extrapolate from it:

http://maps.cpre.org.uk/operational_map.html?lon=-1.34503&lat=52.85005&zoom=9

However, no amount of maps and data will explain how you as an individual will feel living close to a source of regular noise, whether it's an airport, a motorway or HS2.

In terms of house prices, I'd expect only those living within close sight of the line when it's built will see any negative impact. A street or two away and other factors like improved access to employment might well cancel such effects.

So it's a known unknown at present, but don't forget, a huge % of other houses will be affected in the future by unknown unknowns, as most places change over time, for better and worse!

davidmcn

How long term are you thinking ahead? The line isn't due for completion for another 17 years. Or possibly much longer. Or possibly never.

AnnieO1234

We are close to the proposed route but unless they change the shape of the valley we are unlikely to get problems from the trains, we actually are a few minutes drive from a proposed hub in derbyshire for repairs etc so will likely see an increase in employment opportunities.

My BIL is holding onto an old house (renting out) as it falls on the line and will be subject to compulsory purchase at a future date. (Currently worth only about £40k) xxx

clint_S

My last house was about 800m away from the proposed line and housing prices in the area had already fallen by around £20K, that's a lot when the average house was only £170K to begin with. I lived near Manchester, village on the outskirts that the line went through the middle. The area is very nice, country and a lively active community, yet I suspect housing prices will keep falling to around half the peak rate.

looknohands

Would it not depend, if you were close to a station on HS2 for example near Toton or Meadowhall it may have the opposite effect and increase your house price as it then becomes commuting distance to London. Terraced houses near the station in my town are more expensive due to this, and it's 2 hours to London still.

clint_S

Maybe a few years after completion but the massive disruptions that will be cause whilst this is being built is going to make living near the line hell, add a few more years due to delays.


How many people are really going to use the line? There are no planes from Manchester to London, stopped a few years ago because of lack of interest, and it already only takes 1h56 to London on the train. Most people will want to be near a line that takes them to the local cities, not available on HS2, only Birmingham, Crewe then Manchester (not even the airport gets a default station). What's crazy is that I now live about 5 miles from the proposed line and yet I can get to London from my local station faster than I can get to a HS2 station and I only live 25 miles away from one of them.

jonathanrolande

Uncertainty worries buyers so yes, it will have an impact.