Yesterday the Government announcement that it was extending planning permission for schemes until 1 April 2021 and changing restrictions on times of construction.
Colin Wood, Director in the Project & Building Consultancy team responded to the announcement saying: “This is welcome news for the construction industry. When lockdown began we saw the sharpest decline in activity since the Global Financial Crisis, and while work has been able to resume, progress has been slow due to disruption to the supply chain, social distancing measures as well as the long-term pressures on labour supply within the industry. Easing restrictions imposed on operation times will allow sites to utilise the drier longer days of summer to increase productivity. While also extending planning permissions for sites will help to build momentum, as long as supply chain issues are resolved swiftly.
“However, further details and commitment on planned Government spending on public sector projects announced in the last Budget would help to boost confidence in an industry unsure of what lays ahead.”
