Landowners in the area may have already been contacted for access to land for environmental surveys, and moving forwards, the scheme expect to have submit their DCO application in late 2023, with a decision by the Secretary of State on whether to approve the scheme in 2025 and construction commencing thereafter.

Those in the area will already be aware of the Awel Y Mor offshore windfarm, which is seeking on onshore cable route further to the east of Rhyl, from our experience representing a significant number of landowners and occupiers on this scheme, we recommend that those who may be affected by the routes identified engage with the scheme and register their concerns through the consultation process.

Please do not hesitate to contact Jonathan Bell at the office on 01829 773000 for more advice if you are affected by this scheme.

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To take access on to landowners and occupiers land, HS2 must enter into licences via negotiation. Rostons have been informed that these could be sent directly to you from June onwards.

There will be considerably more works than the previous round, resulting in more trial pits and boreholes. We advise liaising with ourselves in relation to the licence being sent to you and also, in relation to the process for any pre-entry meetings, access requirement and compensation.

We are also aware further Land Interest Questionnaires are being sent out directly to you. Please do not hesitate to contact Tom Selby, Jonathan Bell and Tony Rimmer at Rostons, in regards to this matter.

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The new Hybrid Bill once passed will grant HS2 the compulsory purchase powers to acquire land and buildings to construct the high-speed railway and all the associated road and utility diversions. The compulsory purchase powers will also include all the environmental mitigation measures such as tree planting, newt habitats and grasslands.

There will be several documents to be published, including the Environmental Statement and non-technical summary, and a significant number of maps and plans for the various areas affected by the scheme. These documents will be available online and at the number of HS2 Phase 2B public information events that will no doubt be held soon.

Once the Hybrid Bill has been read twice in the House of Commons, this will open up the petitioning period, whereby anyone who has property affected by the scheme, can petition against their proposals and ultimately be heard in front of the Select Committee at the House of Commons.

The timescales in relation to Phase 2B are as follows:

• The Petitioning period 12 – 18 months
• Royal Assent Spring 2026
• Early environmental planting and utility diversions late 2026/ early 2027
• Main construction of railway 2028
• Completion and the railway being operational 2035/36

It is worth taking into consideration that the Phase 2A Hybrid Bill was deposited in July 2017 and only received Royal Assent in February 2021, however this was due to General Elections and periods of Purdah.

Tom Selby of Rostons stated “It was proposed that the Hybrid Bill was to be deposited in late 2021, however was delayed. It is most frustrating for those property owners and occupiers on the Golborne Spur as this is still included in the bill but is still being reviewed by union connectivity review panel and yet to be confirmed. The key to petitioning is ensure that reasonable, practical requests are made and these have been evidenced with early engagement.”

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The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) is similar to previous small productivity grants such as CPSG, but the grant has been improved based on feedback. The number of eligible items has increased to 120, with equipment such as Slurry Separators, Robotic Slurry Pusher/Collector, Dribble Bar, Livestock handling facilities, Direct Drills and GPS light bars amongst the list. The minimum grant amount is £2000 with a maximum of £25,000 making it a much more inclusive option this time round. The deadline for application is the 7th January 2022.

The Farming Transformation Fund (FTF) is a fund providing grants towards large capital items, with the aim to improve productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability. The grant will be released in three rounds: Water Management, Improving Farm Productivity and Adding Value with the minimum grant amount being £35,000 and the maximum £500,000. The first phase ‘Water Management Grant’ includes water storage reservoirs, abstraction pumps and pipework, water meters and boom or trickle irrigators. Applications are open and will close on the 12th January 2022.

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Potential route corridors have been identified from Stanlow Refinery to Warrington, Manchester and Northwich as the first steps for 90km of new pipeline supplying Hydrogen from a Production Plant at Stanlow, for use in industry and transport in Cheshire and eventually further afield.

Access for environmental surveys can be expected from early 2022, with Ground Investigations commencing towards the end of the year. The planning application for this phase is expected to be submitted in Spring 2023.

The first phase, carrying CO2 in a pipeline from Stanlow Refinery to Flint and then out into the Liverpool Bay gas fields for underground storage is preparing for the submission of its DCO Planning Application in the New Year, likely to be February/March. The planning process is likely to take 18-24 months, with construction expected to commence from 2025 onwards. As the scheme is still undergoing design changes, particularly in the Mollington area, some landowners may still be receiving licences to expand the survey area.

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As it stands, agreements will run for a 3 year term, which is different to how BPS is currently handled but similar to a Countryside Stewardship Agreement.

In 2022, the standards that can be applied for are:

The Arable & Horticultural Soil Standard 

Introductory payment – £28 / Ha

Intermediate payment – £40 / ha

Advanced payment – TBC in 2023

The Improved Grassland Soil Standard 

Introductory payment – £28 / Ha

Intermediate payment – £58 / Ha

Advanced – TBC

The Moorland & Rough Grazing Standard

Introductory payment – £148 / Ha

Intermediate payment – TBC

Advanced payment – TBC

They will also pay for an annual health and welfare review for livestock.

More standards will be added over time.

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In all sectors, the market has been strong but in recent months, caution has crept in amongst perspective buyers.

The key is setting realistic guides, creating interest and then maximising that interest to obtain premium values. 

In our experience, getting the offer and acceptance is often the easy first step.  The work that is involved in the background to get from acceptance of offer to legal completion is very time consuming and we pride ourselves on keeping both vendors and purchasers updated on progress.

If you are thinking of selling, then please contact the Rostons team and we can ensure the right person attends to give you a market appraisal and advise how Rostons quality service can benefit you in selling your property.

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Our first sale for 2022 will require entries in by Friday 14th January, sale runs from 19th – 26th January.

We also have two on Farm Dispersals of farm equipment booked for February/March.

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In return for a licence fee, landowners can expect access for a number of environmental surveys, including newts, bats and badgers etc. It is expected that intrusive borehole, trial pit and archaeological surveys will be carried out in the Autumn of 2022 with the aim of submitting a Development Consent Order/ Planning Application for the scheme in March 2023.

Rostons are representing a large number of landowners and occupiers already affected by the 1st Phase from Stanlow to Flint, ensuring that the correct licence fees are paid and agreeing access and compensation for intrusive surveys.

Jonathan Bell of Rostons comments “this major infrastructure scheme will impact many landowners and farmers in Cheshire, it is important that those affected seek professional advice, particularly as the project seeks to enter into agreements to acquire rights over land in the near future”.

For further information contact the Rostons office on 01829 773000

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As it stands, agreements will run for a 3 year term, which is different to how BPS is currently handled and more similar to the Countryside Stewardship Agreement.  In 2022,
the standards that can be applied for are:

• The Arable & Horticultural Soil Standard – £22/ha for introductory actions, £40 for intermediate actions
• The Improved Grassland Soil Standard – £28/ha for introductory actions, £58 for intermediate actions
• The Moorland & Rough Grazing Standard – £148 fixed per agreement per year, plus additional variable payment rate of £6.45 per hectare for introductory level

They will also pay for an annual health and welfare review for livestock and more standards are predicted to be added over time.

The Sustainable Farming Incentive could be viewed as a direct replacement for the Basic Payment Scheme which is currently being phased out, however, payments will moving forwards be
focused on environmental benefits.

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