PEOPLE living within 60m on either side of the proposed HS2 line can now apply to have the government purchase their property.

On Tuesday last week, the route from London-Birmingham was formally protected from future development in a process known as safeguarding, which also triggers certain safeguards for homeowners and business property owners.

It will enable people with property near the proposed route to ask the government to buy their property under statutory blight procedures. Successful applicants will receive the unblighted open market value of their property, plus 10 per cent up to £47,000, plus moving costs.

It also stops any development along the route that could interfere with the building of the line, and councils must notify the Department for Transport if they plan any such development.

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.

“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.”