Development shuts down despite government green light

Some of the UK’s largest developers and contractors are closing construction sites across the country despite government advice that building can continue, as the coronavirus pandemic spreads. Multiplex, Mace, L&Q, Redrow Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Developments and Bovis Homes are among several firms that have decided to temporarily close sites. Works at AXA Investment Managers’ 22 Bishopsgate have stopped, following the decision from construction firm Multiplex to halt activity on all locations. Multiplex’s London sites include R&F Properties’ 56-storey One Nine Elms and mixed-use scheme, The Broadway, in Westminster. The closures follow prime minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of police-enforced state lockdown, imposing the most draconian peacetime restrictions on the British public. Housing secretary Robert Jenrick subsequently advised that on-site construction could continue, following Public Health England guidance on social distancing, which requires people maintain a 2m distance from others. Many housebuilders, developers and construction companies have said they are unable to comply with social distancing on-site, forcing them to suspend activity. Still on site With backing from government, however, a large number of developers have kept up development. Liverpool City Council is still active on all schemes, including its 30-acre Paddington Village, an LCC spokesperson confirmed to EG. The council has put in place guidelines for social distancing on sites, and contractors are staggering shifts and bringing in more cabins to adhere to the 2m social distancing policy. In Manchester, construction work on Ask Real Estate’s 100 Embankment is continuing. BAM Construction, the contractor on site, is circa. five weeks from practical completion, and the current situation is being monitored closely by Ask Real Estate. Capital & Centric co-founder Tim Heatley said work is still ongoing across the developer’s portfolio of live projects. “We send out almost daily updates and advice,” he said. “We have 800-1,000 people on [any one] site, and we’re conscious of safety[…] where possible we’ve dialled down.” British Land is still active on construction sites. A spokesman said: “We are taking action to enforce Public Health England guidelines across our sites and are committed to taking further action if they are not adhered to.” Battersea stops works Construction work on the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station has temporarily paused, while contractor Mace assesses whether it can carry out work on site. Mace, who is the main contractor on the redevelopment of the power station (which marks phase two of the overall 42-acre regeneration project), will stop work on site from 5pm this evening for the next 48 hours. The contractor is rolling out the same procedure on all of its live construction sites. A Mace spokesperson said: “Whilst the Prime Minister’s announcement allowing the construction sector to continue working was welcomed, it has become clear that we are unable to comply with Public Health England recommendations on social distancing of our workforce and we therefore have made the difficult decision today to temporarily suspend all of Mace’s site operations.” TfL pauses projects The majority of closures have been focused around London, as developers and construction firms seek to reduce the number of people travelling on public transport in the capital. London’s transport commissioner has also temporarily suspended construction at all Transport for London and Crossrail sites. Mike Brown, London’s transport commissioner, said: “TfL and Crossrail will be bringing all project sites to a temporary safe stop unless they need to continue for operational safety reasons. “It is vital that the transport network is only used by critical workers. As we work though these issues with our supply chain, consideration will be given to the impact on workers, particularly those who are on low incomes.” Housebuilders down tools Residential developers L&Q, Redrow, Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Developments, Bovis Homes and Galliard Homes will also close sites. Housing association L&Q said it will pause activity on all construction sites and review the decision in three weeks. It said: “We have found that social distancing on construction sites is extremely difficult to achieve. Added to this in London, our construction workers are heavy users of the public transport network.” L&Q said it was discussing the impact of closures with the government, the Mayor of London and other key stakeholders. Redrow Homes is suspending a number of construction sites, with others that are more advanced continuing. The housebuilder said, on its website, that this was “to ensure that those customers about to move into their new property aren’t left without access to a home and the capability to isolate effectively”. Taylor Wimpey will shut all construction sites beginning today, following the closure of sales offices earlier this week.  Barratt will close 400 sales offices and construction sites by the end of the day, with ongoing health and safety measures that may extend until tomorrow morning, it said. Bovis Homes announced it has commenced decommissioning activity at all of its sites. It said: “There will be teams going on-site in the short term for the essential work of making the sites safe and secure.” Galliard Homes will close all London sites with immediate effect, relieving some 2,500 construction workers from their developments. The developer has also extended closures to its Birmingham sites under construction through the Galliard Homes & Apsley House Capital joint venture, with the sole exception of safety works.