HS2 is asking for permission to return a piece of land near Kenilworth back to its owner and restore it to its previous state.

This land at Kingswood Farmhouse, close to the A46 Kenilworth Bypass was temporarily used for works related to the new high-speed rail line.

The Dalehouse Lane land, which was previously used for horses as part of a riding school and for livestock grazing, was taken by HS2 in July 2019. 

It is described as an "irregular shape, approximately 140 metres in length" and saw a new gas main created across it as well as "HS2 enabling works".

HS2 has reviewed the area and decided "this land parcel is no longer required and can now be handed back to the landowner". 

The landowners have already agreed to the plans for restoring the site.

Before the land is returned, BBV plans to carry out several restoration tasks. 

These include:

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• "Removal of all redundant / misaligned fencing within the land parcel."
• "Reinstatement of post holes."
• "Vegetation management: includes mowing and bailing the grass within the paddocks along with the removal of the blackthorn bushes that had seeded."
• Seeding. The area was reseeded with a special "Equine / Pony / Horse Paddock Grass Seed Mix" after blackthorn bushes were removed.
• New water troughs and water supply

The application states that the land's shape and height are "comparable to the pre-existing state and profile," meaning no major changes to the ground level are needed. 

While some soil was disturbed during earlier gas main installation, the site has "regenerated and seeded."

(Header image by Robin Stott via geograph.org.uk)