In November, the key issue was the presentation of petitions from the Chilterns, from Bucks County Council, the District Councils, Parish Councils through to individual petitioners. The House of Lords Select Committee had clearly become bored and fed up with the whole process, and were short to the point of rudeness with a number of petitioners.

In presenting our petition which included a section on the uniqueness of the AONB, we were told that we should have presented with the Chilterns Conservation Board. Similarly, that our evidence of the risk to the Misbourne and the aquifer had been heard before.

In December, the key issue was the Select Committee Report which you can read in full here.

The Select Committee made very few changes to the bill. They gave 3 directions that specific properties affected severely should be purchased on enhanced terms. Read more here.

In addition, in Chapter 3 a number of ‘directions’ are set out on specific petitions. These highlight issues that although encourage HS2 to act, generally leave it to HS2’s discretion. Affected petitions are in order from North to South.
Appendix 4 sets out amendments to the Bill. These are mainly technical.

The assessment of Buckinghamshire is in Chapter 4. Overall, general descriptions of the impact on communities are given, but fail to appreciate the impact on people.

There are specific impacts given for a number of communities

For Wendover, the only recommendation is for HS2 to work with BCC to improve the footpath next to the London Road. Dunsmore will be affected by views of the Small Dean Viaduct or the Wendover viaduct. Therefore these should be designed in an aesthetically pleasing fashion.

South Heath was mentioned, but the SC was not prepared to listen to any arguments requiring an AP, and although bemused by the cost differences between the Petitioners’ and HS2’s experts were not prepared to do anything. The SC was also not prepared to make any concessions with regard to the impact of sonic boom on Potter Row in particular.

Great Missenden and Little Missenden. The Committee recognized that the greatest concern in GM is further traffic congestion, but suggested that the village had not provided enough off-road parking already and that despite a substantial increase in HGVs that the overall increase in traffic from HS2 is very small.

Amersham and Chalfont St Giles was briefly mentioned and concerns about the Misbourne.
For the Colne Valley, Hillingdon have done a deal to move Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre, with HS2 contributing £26.5m.

Overall the SC’s comments were mundane if not pathetic.

Chapter 9 deals with Environmental Issues covering among others.

Measuring Loss of Biodiversity. Again a lot of fine words, other than the SC is not convinced about Natural England’s metric of replacement with a ratio of 30 to 1.

The Select Committee has followed HS2’s arguments that it is only a small amount of the AONB that is affected, and that this is a transport corridor. Very little else.

Related stories:

The HoL Select Committee recommends removal of Compulsory Purchase powers from HS2 Hybrid Bill

Regent’s Park Hedgehogs doomed

Camden Council’s summary of recommendations by HoL SC affecting Camden Residents