High-speed rail link will see venue close

The owners of a popular Staffordshire wedding venue and farm shop were today fearing the closure of their business after the controversial high-speed rail link was approved.

Packington Moor, near Lichfield, faces being flattened to make way for the new railway line stretching between London and Birmingham – although no development is expected for several years.

John and Rosemary Barnes are now waiting to hear exactly how long they have left, with construction of the £17 billion first phase due to start in 2016.

They had been due to escape the line by 200 yards but for Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant, who led a successful campaign to change the route to bypass the city.

Transport Minister Justine Greening announced the go-ahead for those revised plans yesterday.

Mr Barnes, 58, said: "It's no great surprise. Before there was a bit of uncertainty but now we know – we are scheduled for demolition in phase one. That could be any time between 2016 and 2026 although I would think it will be a fair bit sooner than that.

"There's an element of disappointment but I'd prepared myself for it - there was cross-party support."

The father of two added: "It was more of a presentation than a consultation.

"They have drawn a line but don't know anything about the people along it or what they do – they probably just saw this as a bit of farmland.

"We are a wedding venue, a farm shop and we employ 40 people. It's a business and we are all going to be affected."

The family is taking legal advice over what to do next, with agreeing a compensation package next on the agenda.

Mr and Mrs Barnes, as well as their daughter Grace and son Henry, supported the Lichfield and Whittington Stop HS2 Action groups which have expressed dismay over the Government's decision.

Lichfield District Council has also voiced its displeasure with the 'disappointing' verdict.