Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 42
42
Accepted
Department must balance Crichel Down rules with human impact in property disposal
Conclusion
The Department told us that it is obliged to secure value for money for the taxpayer and to follow the Crichel Down rules, which require government departments to offer surplus land back to the previous owner at the current market value. However, the Department acknowledged that the rules need to be applied in a way that remembers that there are human beings at the end of the process.72 Capacity on West Coast Main Line
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and is undertaking a review of the Phase 2 land portfolio, including identification of Crichel Down properties, as part of a disposal programme. They will write to the Committee with next steps and include updates in a future six-monthly report by Summer 2025.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2025 Preparatory work on a disposal programme for Phase 2 is already underway. As part of these preparations, the department is undertaking a review of the portfolio of land that was previously acquired for Phase 2. This includes the identification of properties subject to Crichel Down Rules. The department will write to the Committee to confirm the next steps for a disposal programme. The Department will take time to carefully develop a disposal programme that delivers value for money for taxpayers and does not disrupt local property markets. The department agrees to include the information requested by the Committee regarding the disposal programme in a future six-monthly report to Parliament. As part of this update, the department will include its approach to addressing future West Coast Main Line capacity issues and rail connectivity in the north, following the outcome of the spending review.