HS2 has been criticised by conservationists for potential environmental damage in Chiltern.

Specifically, campaigners have spoken out against the 12 million tonnes of spoiled earth that has been excavated, which will be dumped in the area. In total, only 10,000 tonnes will be sent to landfills.

The proposed region in Chiltern includes a 35-hectare plateau close to the village of South Heath and an area of outstanding natural beauty.

However, engineers from HS2 claim the removed material will be landscaped into the region and keeping the earth close-by cuts down on additional moving costs and pollution.

A spokesman for the development said: "HS2 will be built in the grain of the countryside and aims to reuse up to 91 per cent of the material generated from building the line."

Alongside concerns over Chiltern, the Woodland Trust has identified 21 forest areas threatened with demolition as a result of temporary building sites used during the construction of HS2.

Comparisons have also been made to the Crossrail project, which recently announced its latest sustainability report, detailing how millions of tonnes of excavated earth will be transported to Wallasea Island in Essex to help create an artificial nature reserve.