Holyrood publishes list of “essential” construction work which makes clear housebuilding should cease during pandemic
The Scottish government has confirmed that work on housebuilding projects should stop immediately after publishing a list of “essential projects” able to continue during the coronavirus lockdown.
Last week Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon (pictured) said construction sites should close, with the exemption of critical projects, without specifying what exactly that meant.
Scottish government guidance now makes it clear that work on construction projects should only be carried out if it is supporting work crucial to dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
The guidance includes “domestic housing” projects on a list of “non-essential” sites which ”should be halted at this stage”, unless they can be safely completed within five days.
The guidance gives housebuilders leeway to “shut down [sites] safely and securely, ensuring that partially-built structures are safe, and if necessary wind- and water-tight.”
It says that “essential repair and maintenance” of homes can continue, but not routine maintenance or improvement works.
Work to build accomodation for key workers essential to keeping Scotland’s critical national infrastructure running during the pandemic is also exempt.
More broadly, it says that even those projects deemed essential can only continue operating if they can comply with protocols on social distancing, safety and welfare during the covid-19 outbreak. Any site unable to meet these requirements should close.
Essential projects include those to create or repurpose facilities which will be used directly in covid-19 activities such as accommodation for key workers or freeing up space for coronavirus-related activities. The government has also said that projects which are considered essential public services and the repair and maintenance of critical infrastructure are allowed.
The guidance comes into effect immediately and extends until further notice. The Scottish government said it will look again at these measures in three weeks.
Announcing the closure of sites last week Sturgeon said the nation could repair its economy “but we cannot bring people back to life”.
The news comes after the majority of the UK’s largest housebuilders have announced they are shutting down sites for the duration of the lockdown, however, it has not been clear to what extent, until now, smaller privately-owned housebuilders have taken the same approach.
UK government ministers have so far remained adamant that sites in England should in general remain open, however, there have been reports that the UK government too is working on a list of “essential” and “non-essential” construciton sites. Kevin Cammack, analyst at investment bank Cenkos, said he thought the policy was likely to be introduced across the UK. He said: “If I were Paddy Power I’d be paying out now on those betting this will now be a policy replicated in England by the end of this week.”
Essential project examples
The following examples of ‘essential’ projects are provided to help developers’ consideration of whether work should continue on their site:
Health sector
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital and Department of Clinical Neurosciences
These are major developments which while not directly contributing to the COVID-19 situation at this point, could provide additional capacity if the situation changes.
Children’s Hospital in Glasgow: refurbishment of wards 2A and 2B
Work is underway on essential water and drainage issues in the two paediatric cancer wards at the Royal Hospital for Children. The nature of the patient cohort using these wards gives these works the designation of essential.
Essential and time-critical maintenance
There are a range of small-scale projects around essential maintenance and repairs, that need to be delivered to secure sustainable and resilient services.
Bearing in mind the broad principles outlined here, we expect NHS Boards to make decisions on individual sites and projects in conjunction with the contractor/s.
Transport sector
Operation and essential maintenance of the transport network
The safe and effective operation of transport network is essential to the national response to COVID-19. There are a number of smaller scale projects that are required to be delivered which are essential and time-critical for the safe and effective operation of the road and rail network in Scotland. Works include essential road and rail repairs, essential structure repairs and ongoing safety monitoring of the networks. In addition, essential winter maintenance activities will continue as required along with incident responses required to keep the critical transport network open.
Road works and works for roads purposes
Works as defined in the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 includes a subset of works which are vital for the wellbeing of society. The continued provision of essential utility services, energy, telecoms, water (including sewerage) within an effectively operating road network is vital during this period. Where works fall within the existing emergency and urgent works categories, and where the requirements on social distancing can be met, these are considered essential. Other planned works including proposed upgrades or non-critical rehabilitation schemes should not be undertaken during this period.
Essential and time-critical maintenance and repairs
Projects that ensure such facilities continue to function safely, and maintain essential levels of utility for their users are also considered essential in this context.
Where projects can be safely concluded at a later point they should be.
Essential projects include:
- operation and essential maintenance of elements of national public, private and business infrastructure which are essential for the containment and treatment of the virus and the distribution of food, essential supplies, utilities and communications to households
- the essential repair or maintenance or operation of critical infrastructure including: energy (electricity and gas) generation, transmission (including distribution) and supply; water treatment and networks; and telecom/broadband networks. These works will be required to ensure near-term network security
- the essential repair or maintenance of oil and gas CNI, including that equipment that is required for the repair and maintenance, for ongoing safe production operations to ensure fuel resilience and security of supply
- the essential maintenance of facilities being used to deliver essential services or manufacture and deliver essential goods
- the essential maintenance and repair (but not improvement) of buildings including private homes and commercial properties. Routine maintenance should be deferred.
No comments yet