Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, has announced changes to the planning system to help support ‘safe’ construction.
These changes include allowing developers to agree more flexible construction site working hours with their local council. The aim of this is to make it easier to follow public health guidance on-site and stagger builders’ arrival times, making public transport less busy, thereby reducing the risk of infection.
A new charter has also been launched by the government and the Home Builders Federation, helping construction sites re-open in line with latest health and safety guidance.
The Safe Working Charter compliments the COVID-19 Site Operating Procedures published by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).
“Our step-by-step plan is based on the latest guidance to ensure the safety and protection of everyone involved,” said Mr Jenrick.
Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation, said: “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.”
Meanwhile, John Newcomb, chief executive 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.”
