South Holland developers adjust to COVID-19 environment as construction output slows
Three of south Lincolnshire's leading developers have adapted their operations in line with government guidelines for construction firms during the coronavirus outbreak.
Ashwood Homes, of Spalding, has temporarily closed its sales centres and "show homes" at sites, including Cowbit, Crowland, Donington and Holbeach.
Similarly, Broadgate Homes, of Weston Hills, confirmed that sales offices at three of its sites, including the St John's Circus development in Spalding, were now closed.
Ashley King, chairman of Ashwood Homes, said: "The coronavirus outbreak has impacted our business and the whole development sector.
"Our seven Lincolnshire sales centres and show homes are closed, following the Government's guidance, but we continue to carry out construction on properties which have been sold and we have a steady flow of completions in April.
"We are working with the supply chain to enable us to hand over properties where contracts have been exchanged and we have been given encouragement from the Government to continue building homes, whilst complying with the guidelines.
"At Lincs Gateway Business Park, we have end users going through the legal process and the parties are comfortable to proceed with the agreements."
Ian Canham, chief executive of Broadgate Homes, said: "We have scaled down operations in order to ensure that we can comply with government guidance as regards employee and public safety.
"We are also mindful of there being a real risk that the supply chain will fall down as the logistics industry rightly concentrates on moving food and other essentials around the country.
"Broadgate Homes has closed its sales offices, but we are still available to take telephone and email enquiries from those looking to move when conditions return to normal.
"We are also completing a number of plots where clients have exchanged and have been given dates to complete in order not to disrupt plans people have made."
Meanwhile, Larkfleet Homes, of Bourne, has stopped work at all of its new developments, including the Pinchbeck Fields site where work had been progressing over the last two years under Larkfleet’s sister company, Allison Homes.
Karl Hick, chief executive of Larkfleet Group, said: "We want to maintain social distancing of at least 2m as per government advice, but this is not always practical on building sites.
"So for the safety of all concerned, and to play our part in halting the spread of the coronavirus, we have taken the important step of closing down our development sites.
"To keep up with continuing demand, we have launched virtual tours of show homes on a 'By appointment' basis and our sales staff are on hand to answer questions from people already in the process of buying one of our homes, along with those considering a purchase.
"We are doing everything to help our customers so everyone can get back to business as usual as soon as possible."
Construction firms were praised for having "answered the call to action" by continuing to work through the coronavirus outbreak by Business Secretary Alok Sharma.
In a letter to the industry published last Tuesday, Mr Sharma said: "The Government had advised that, wherever possible, people should work at home.
"However, we know that for many people working in construction, their job requires them to travel to their place of work and they can continue to do so."
Mr Canham said: "Obviously these are difficult times for all, but I have been so heartened by the attitude and endeavour of the team at Broadgate to ensure that our customers are affected as little as possible.
"Whilst mortgage markets may be affected during a period when so many staff are furloughed around the country, it should also be remembered that this is a short-term crisis and life will return to some form of normality.
"The housing market is no different to the rest of society and we will be here to assist those who want to move."
