UK HS2 – houses unsaleable

The controversial HS2 infrastructure project in the UK is already impacting the housing market. Sales have fallen 27% in areas along the route between London and Birmingham, compared to a 10% fall across England and Wales, according to Hamptons estate agents. House prices on the route have also risen more slowly, with homes near the HS2 route rising by £8,000 less than the national average. Homes within two miles of the route saw sales slump 16% between 2019 and 2022, with prices growing 2 percentage points below the national average. Uncertainty surrounding the project is also deterring potential buyers^[1]https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/house-prices/how-hs2-has-run-a-train-through-local-house-price-sales/.

In the Czech Republic, property along the VRT route is even more discounted. Sellers are desperate.

However, in the UK if your application is successful, the Government will agree to buy your property for 100% of the unblighted open-market value^[2]https://assets.hs2.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/CS1202_1022_LP_Phase1_v5-WEB.pdf pg 19.