A south Bucks MP this week called for rules on stamp duty to be relaxed for homeowners who will be affected by HS2.

Cheryl Gillan called for a review of stamp duty land tax for residents living along the route of the line who are trying to sell their properties during a debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

But she was told by junior treasury minister David Gauke the government were unconvinced a review was necessary, during a discussion on a proposed stamp duty relief.

The Chesham and Amersham MP said: “For some time I have been pursuing stamp duty land tax for all those affected by the notorious HS2 infrastructure project. Is the Minister [Mr Gauke] willing, while he is looking into this matter, to review those provisions?

“The stamp duty land tax relief applies to only a very narrow number of properties. To keep the property market operating normally, it should be possible to extend it to properties up and down the line that are being so adversely affected by the project.”

Many homeowners living along the route of the planned line, which will cut through the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, have seen the value of their properties drop sharply as a result of the proposals.

In his response to Mrs Gillan's point, South West Herts MP, Mr Gauke, said: “On the specific point about HS2, the government remain to be persuaded that stamp duty land tax is necessarily the right measure for addressing the concerns that she identifies and on which she provides an articulate voice in defence of her constituents and others affected by the project.

“We remain to be convinced, but I know that she will continue to make her argument, and we will continue to look at it carefully.

“As I said, however, we are not yet convinced that reform of stamp duty land tax, or an exemption or relief, would necessarily provide the right support for those with properties affected by HS2.”