Chris Selway, director at BNP Paribas Real Estate, who has 34 years’ experience in the property industry specialising in CPO and the rail sector, has commented on Boris Johnson’s 2020 Vision:
“As a supporter of investment into infrastructure, I agree that there can certainly be no new substantial housing developments in London without adequate investment in supporting transport infrastructure to ensure connectivity. It is certainly imperative to ‘future-proof’ the capacity and integrity of the public transport systems in our great capital to keep it at the top of the world charts.
However, as a CPO surveyor I feel very strongly that the price the few have to pay for the greater good when their homes, farms and businesses are compulsorily acquired is still not being fairly addressed. Blight is reality but compensation can be either dodged by artificial boundaries or rateable value thresholds, or it can simply be inadequate.
It’s too difficult and costly for most people to put up a fight for their rightful payments. Having watched so many tunnels springing up from the HS2 consultation, I hope that Boris’ future plans are not rushed through and are properly consulted upon – to minimise the impact of blight and to spend less on options which are soon abandoned.”
