Housebuilders could work until 9pm on new estates across Harborough

Housebuilders could work until 9pm on new estates and projects across Harborough - if they get the go-ahead from the council.

The Government has issued new guidance to encourage safer working on building sites where social distancing might be challenging during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Harborough District Council will now consider requests by developers to extend construction hours to 9pm on Mondays to Saturdays only (not Sundays, public or bank holidays).

“Longer hours can be considered in circumstances where there are no residential properties nearby”, said the council.

“This will aim to stagger the number of workers on any building site at any time.”

Current permitted construction working hours are 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am until 1pm on Saturdays, with no work permitted on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

“Any extension to construction hours requires permission from the local planning authority and a request would need to be made by the developer,” said the council.

“Where such requests are made, developers must consider potential impacts and, where necessary, put forward brief plans to manage concerns and carry out letter drops to any nearby properties.”

Any building work done after 6pm, or at weekends, “should factor in any nearby properties with quiet working encouraged at this time”.

“Requests to extend the hours of construction will only be refused where there are very compelling reasons to do so as set out in Government guidelines,” said the council.

Cllr Jonathan Bateman, the council's Cabinet lead for regulatory services, said: “We understand the Government’s need to progress housing, and other projects, which have been set back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“And in light of this direction from Government we will work closely with developers which make requests to extend construction hours.”

He added: “We also understand the need for workers’ safety and will work with developers as required.

“That said, residents should be assured that developers will need to comply with agreed conditions, as well as put forward plans on how they will minimise disruption, and that any concerns raised will be fully addressed.”

Any queries about construction hours should be emailed to planningcompliance@harborough.gov.uk

More information on the Government’s Written Ministerial Statement can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-construction-update-qa