Housebuilders restart on construction sites

Housebuilders Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Group are to reopen construction sites following lockdown last month. Taylor Wimpey is to remobilise the majority of its sites in England and Wales from 4 May, in a phased process, following government guidance. It has no plans to restart in Scotland at this stage. The housebuilder has revised protocols, with changes to site formats and bespoke PPE for two-person tasks. Pete Redfern, Taylor Wimpey’s chief executive, said: “We took an early decision at the end of March to close our sites while we assessed in detail how to build homes without compromising on health and safety or quality. “We are now confident that we have clear plans and processes in place so we can safely start back on site in a phased way beginning on 4 May.” Vistry Group said it will restart construction on 90% of its partnership sites and a large number of housing schemes from 27 April. Earlier this month the partnerships division announced it would remobilise some sites, following a shutdown on 25 March. The company furloughed the majority of its employees during the site closure and will begin bringing people back to work as activity picks up. Vistry chief executive Greg Fitzgerald said: “Health and safety remains our top priority and a huge amount or work has gone into making sure our people can return to work with confidence in safe and well-planned operating procedures. “This first step represents a positive move for the group, as well as the wider economy, and the critically important delivery of new homes.” It follows major disruption beginning last month as housebuilders and contractors downed tools amid mixed messaging from the government and trade bodies, as the coronavirus pandemic spread across the country. The restarts on site come as RICS callss on the government to explore reopening sites. RICS head of government relations Hew Edgar said: “The UK government must start exploring how the sector could taper the reopening of non-essential construction sites within stringent parameters of health and safety adherence, introduce grants and review how repair and maintenance work could proceed whilst public buildings are not fully occupied. “A combination of these will support professionals, the workforce, manufacturers and supply chains by providing a pipeline of work and vital cash flow in the short term.” To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette