Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has published new guidance which allows housebuilders to agree more flexible construction site working hours with their local council
Staggering housebuilders’ arrival times will help ease the pressure on public transport.
Under the new guidance, local councils and developers will be able to publicise planning applications through social media instead of having to rely on posters and leaflets.
Jenrick also announced support for smaller developers by allowing them to defer payments to local councils, helping those struggling with their cash flow while ensuring communities still receive funding towards local infrastructure in the longer term.
Anyone in England can now also move home if they follow the new guidance.
A new charter has been launched by the government and the Home Builders Federation, helping construction sites reopen in line with latest health and safety guidance.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick, said: “Today I am announcing new guidelines to allow the housing market to resume. Our clear plan will enable people to move home safely, covering each aspect of the sales and letting process from viewings to removals.
“Our step by step plan is based on the latest guidance to ensure the safety and protection of everyone involved.
“This critical industry can now safely move forward, and those waiting patiently to move can now do so.”
Delivering the homes the country needs
Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation, commented: “Over the past week or so many housebuilders have commenced a gradual return to work, in a structured way that ensures the safety of its workforce and the general public.
“The industry sustains hundreds of thousands of people in numerous roles and associated sectors, boosting local economies across the country. A resumption of work will play a major part in helping the economy recover as well as delivering the homes the country needs.
“It should also provide the supply chain with the confidence it needs to accelerate its own restart. The charter is the public facing evidence which supports the very detailed protocols individual builders now have in place to ensure safe working on sites.”
John Newcomb, chief executive officer of the Builders Merchants Federation, added: “Safety has the highest priority as the industry returns to work.
“Over the past three weeks, since the publication of new branch operating guidelines, we have seen increasing numbers of merchants safely re-opening or expanding operations to support their trade customers.
“Housebuilders structured return to site provides even more confidence within the supply chain, and provides further evidence of the construction industry’s determination to assist in the recovery of the UK economy.”
Tradespeople including fitters can operate in homes, provided they do so in line with health guidance. Show homes can also re-open, following social distancing guidance.
The ‘Safe Working Charter’ compliments detailed guidance available from the Construction Leadership Council on further reducing the risk of infection onsite.
