The route of the first phase of the has been protected from future development which might conflict with the planned line.
The “safeguarding” was announced by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and involves the first section of the route which is due to be completed in 2026.
The move will enable people living near the route - which passes through picturesque Tory heartlands in the Chilterns - to approach the Government to buy their property under statutory blight procedures.
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Successful applicants will receive the unblighted open market value of their property, plus 10 per cent up to £47,000 and moving costs.
Currently the only mechanism through which the Government is buying properties on or near the HS2 route is through the exceptional hardship scheme (EHS) for owner-occupiers who can demonstrate that they have an urgent need to sell.
From Tuesday, owner-occupiers within the safeguarded area - typically a corridor 120 metres wide - can now serve a Blight Notice on the Government asking that their home be purchased from them.
The Government wants to introduce a full compensation scheme that is more generous than the law requires and will be re-consulting on a package shortly. In the meantime, the EHS scheme will continue - alongside the statutory blight procedures announced on Tuesday.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “HS2 is moving from the drawing board towards construction. Safeguarding is an important milestone for homeowners and for planning purposes. It shows we are determined to deliver this once-in-a generation opportunity to drive growth, generate jobs, and secure our country’s future prosperity.
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“I understand the distress of those who live along the line of route and can assure people that we will process claims to purchase their property swiftly so that those who qualify can move as quickly as possible.
“In the meantime, we will also continue purchasing properties of those in exceptional hardship ahead of consulting on a comprehensive package of long-term discretionary compensation measures.”
HS2 is bitterly opposed by some residents and some councils. Opposition to the scheme has grown since the Government revealed that the scheme’s cost, including contingencies, had risen around £9 billion to more than £42 billion.
Phase one is now set to cost £21.4 billion, with phase two, taking the line north from Birmingham in a Y-shaped route, expected to cost £21.2 billion.
A few days ago former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling, who is also a former transport secretary, cast doubt about the scheme, and former business secretary Lord Mandelson has also expressed reservations.
Various interested groups gave evidence to the House of Commons HS2 Preparation Bill Committee on Tuesday. In written evidence submitted to the committee, the Stop HS2 organisation said: “We are opposed to the HS2 proposals and the passage of this Bill.
“Notwithstanding political reasons for having an early vote on HS2, this Bill appears to be solely aimed at allowing the costs of HS2 to continue to spiral, without transparent financial accountability.” Before appearing before the committee, the HS2 Action Alliance organisation said: “With costs rising, we believe it is financial recklessness to authorise further unscrutinised spending when there is a lack of evidence that HS2 delivers against its strategic objectives of regeneration, job creation, economic growth and addressing the north-south divide.”