Recommendation 29

We also highlighted that, where some Phase 1 land was going through the process of being returned (it could have been taken for temporary reasons such as utility diversions) the process had been painful and lengthy. HS2 Ltd said that land and property should be returned, once it is not needed anymore, to those who owned it before if they wanted it, subject to all of the associated rules. It said that HS2 Ltd and the Department ought to do that as fast as possible, while acknowledging that on Phase 1 it had been a “pretty slow trickle” so far. It also commented, however, that this was something of an improvement on previous policy which had been to only release any land and property at the end of the whole project. The Department added that it should look for opportunities to allow use of land no longer required if it benefits all parties to do so; for example to look at renting back rural land while the sale and purchase process goes through.59 57 Qq 124, 125 58 Q 127 59 Q 128 18 HS2 and Euston 3 Network North