Andrea Leadsom MP for the South Northamptonshire constituency, has received a letter from Philip Hammond saying that anyone with urgent need to sell their house can apply NOW for compensation. This is an emergency interim measure and will not prejudice the current consultation.
Edit: HS2 have asked me to clarify the position, as the above is slightly misleading.
They say owners can “pre-register for the scheme with HS2 Ltd. This will mean that if and when the Secretary of State confirms that the scheme will go ahead, and if so what form it would take, we can get in touch with them easily to inform them of how the scheme will operate, and provide the documentation needed to make an application.”