Should the move go ahead, it could cause major disruption during the building work and would cut down on the amount of space available to key shows and exhibitions.

It could also be bad news for tenants at the park, with a number of industry organisations such as the NFU, AHDB, the National Federation of Young Framers, Lantra and FWAG all permanently based at the showground.

Any effect on future events at Stoneleigh could cause a major headache for the site’s owners, the Royal Agricultural Society for England (RASE). RASE was unavailable for comment when Farmers Guardian tried to contact them this week.

Equestrian shows too could be affected, with Stoneleigh Park hosting a number of high profile events in the sport’s calendar.

A spokesman for the British Horse Society said: “The showground has all sorts of shows and events, most recently the British Dressage event, so the impact of the rail line could be huge. It is an important site for many sectors connected to the countryside.”

Staff disruption

For occupiers on the park, disruption to staff will be the primary concern, with building work likely to cause traffic and noise issues.

Director of communications at the NFU, Terry Jones said it was too early to tell exactly what the impact of the new railway line would be on the Union’s headquarters.

He said: “We have seen that the revised route for HS2 bisects Stoneleigh Park but will need to study the plans in more detail to fully assess the impacts on the NFU as an occupier.”

It is still unclear if the new route will pass through any existing buildings on the showground and when Farmers Guardian contacted tenants at Stoneleigh Park this week the vast majority were unaware of the new route.

The Department for Transport said the proposed scheme would be put out for public consultation in early 2011, and a spokesman insisted nothing was set in stone and there could still be changes to the project.

Farmers affected by the new rail line will be eligible for the Government’s Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS), although it is unclear at this stage what kind of support or compensation would be available to businesses at Stoneleigh Park should the proposed new route go ahead.

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