I had an interesting time exploring how difficult it is for developers to keep the public happy in these conditions last week.
It seems like pressure from the government means consultations on developments are happening at the same pace as usual, which will surely cause friction between the public and both housebuilders and councils.
In the story I found that local people are struggling to properly examine the plans for a new development while they’re holed up inside – especially if they’re not the most internet savvy.
For housebuilders in this situation it could mean avoiding some scrutiny, but I’m sure most of them would prefer not to cause uproar when strategising on new developments.
With that specific case I do feel sympathy for the locals at Penistone, South Yorkshire.
If you live in a rural and peaceful area having a major development crop up is likely to be a shock in normal times, let alone when it’s hard to properly scrutinise what’s happening.
I hope the government sees sense and encourages councils to lengthen consultation periods where appropriate, to avoid similar situations happening up and down the country.
On the subject of not treating this time as normal, housebuilders are at least sending out the right messages when it comes to getting their staff back on sites.
It seems most are doing all they can to keep social distancing in place.
Prospect Homes will reopen its sales office and start showing homes on Thursday, but the developer is taking precautions like limiting viewings to two people at a time, as well as having hand sanitising facilities available.
These special measures will likely slow down productivity but are very necessary, which I think highlights how keeping to the same development timescales makes little sense, when everything has been thrown off kilter.
Ryan Bembridge, Editor, PropertyWire
