Keepmoat opens sites but warns of supply problems for the industry
A MAJOR Yorkshire-based house builder has revealed plans for a phased reopening of its building sites.
Keepmoat Homes has announced a return to construction on 46 sites across England under a phased programme that enables sites to be reopened over the next few weeks “in a safe and controlled manner”.
Doncaster-based Keepmoat said it also noted potential problems for the house building industry in the supply of essential construction materials, the connection of utilities, the availability of mortgages and the valuation of homes for mortgage purposes. Keepmoat Homes subsidiary, MCI, is reopening another 11 sites.
A spokesman said: “Keepmoat Homes closed all construction sites at the end of March in order to be sure of the health, safety and wellbeing of its customers, employees and contractors.
“Sites reopening will strictly follow guidance on social distancing issued by the Construction Leadership Council and endorsed by the Government.”
Keepmoat Homes is the largest delivery partner of Homes England. It is also a major employer, with 1,150 directly employed staff and over 10,000 indirectly employed in its supply chain.
“The Government recognises the construction industry as a cornerstone of the UK economy and a major employer,” said chief executive officer, Tim Beale. “It knows we have the skills and procedures to manage safety on site and trusts us to be in the vanguard of the return to work.
“Despite the pressure to continue meeting local and national housing need, we have had overwhelming support from our local authority and housing association partners in prioritising the safety of our colleagues.
“The needs of first-time buyers for an affordable first step on the housing ladder are unchanged,” he added. “We have seen continuing demand for new homes and are ensuring that homes are available.”
We have seen continuing demand for new homes.
Tim Beale, chief executive of Keepmoat Homes