Responding to measures announced by government to get the construction industry building again, Cllr David Renard, Local Government Association housing spokesman, said:
“Councils will do everything they can to get developments moving again as safely and quickly as possible, and we are pleased the Government has acted on our call for an extension of the time given to commence planning permissions that would otherwise lapse.
“This enables construction activity to start again quickly, when it is safe to do so, without the need to potentially have to start the planning process again.
“Flexibility on construction site working hours needs to be negotiated on a site by site basis with councils so that they can consider the impact on local residents, many of whom will be at home all day, including for work purposes, due to current coronavirus measures.
“A genuine renaissance in council house-building which delivers 100,000 social homes a year should be a central part of the national recovery.
“This is why councils should be given the powers and tools to build more of the affordable homes the country desperately needs, with the right infrastructure, that reduces homelessness, gets people off the streets for good, supports people’s wellbeing and is climate-friendly.
“This should include ensuring the sector has the skills it needs to deliver housing.”
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