A celebrity dog trainer has received more than £5 million in compensation from the government after the HS2 high-speed rail project forced the closure of his business. Matthew Wiggins, who runs WKD Trained Dogs Ltd, was known for supplying highly trained dogs to celebrities, high-net-worth individuals, and professionals. His operation, based at Brookhouse Farm in Staffordshire, was established in 2012 and transformed the site into a high-end dog training facility with up to 44 kennels. However, the farm was targeted for demolition in 2019 due to its proximity to the planned HS2 rail line, a £100 billion infrastructure project. Mr Wiggins had sought over £8 million in compensation, claiming that the uncertainty surrounding the compulsory purchase of his property from 2019 to 2023 severely affected the company's performance. He argued that the looming threat of closure led to staff demoralisation, reduced productivity, and ultimately the failure to find a suitable replacement location. Following a hearing at the Upper Tribunal, a judge ruled that WKD Trained Dogs Ltd was entitled to about £4.9 million in compensation. The court acknowledged that the HS2 project had significantly impacted the business, particularly as Mr Wiggins was unable to focus on managing his operations effectively during the pandemic. WKD Trained Dogs Ltd was founded in 2010 with a unique approach to sourcing and training dogs. Mr Wiggins focused on identifying dogs with specific temperaments, rather than relying on breed, and sourced them from across Eastern Europe. The company supplied trained dogs, aged between 10 to 24 months, to a range of clients, including professionals, schools, and families. These dogs were sold on a pre-order basis with fixed prices and a full refund guarantee if returned. The demand for the company's services often exceeded supply, leading to long waiting lists. The dispute with the Department for Transport (DfT) centered on the "shadow losses" incurred by the company due to the "blight factor" of the HS2 project. This term refers to the economic impact of a development project that can reduce property values and business activity in surrounding areas. Mr Wiggins claimed that the looming threat of compulsory purchase from 2019 to 2023 had a detrimental effect on staff morale and business performance. The judge accepted that the threat of closure had a significant impact on Mr Wiggins and his team, contributing to a decline in the training success rate. The court awarded £1.3 million for these "shadow losses" and an additional £2.7 million for the closure of the business, with further compensation for other losses and legal costs. The final compensation amount was set at £4,907,348, with a portion already paid by the DfT.