Sussex homebuilder reopens sites

Barratt Homes reopened its doors at Chalkers Rise on Pelham Rise in Peacehaven and Saxon Mills on London Road in Hassocks to customers on an appointment only basis.

Barratt’s Wychwood Park development on Rocky Lane in Haywards Heath also reopened.

Barratt has spent the last few weeks carefully designing revised protocols and procedures so that it would be ready to open its doors when given the green light, a spokeswoman for the firm said.

She added: “To enable customers to visit sales centres and show homes, a range of safety measures and new working procedures which meet or exceed government, industry and public health agency advice have been put in place.

“These include protective Perspex screens, retractable barriers, strict social distancing and, where necessary, personal protective equipment (PPE), plus intercom systems and door locks to enable customers to engage with sales teams before entering offices.

“Customers will initially be able to visit the sales centres and carry out physical viewings by appointment with one household visiting one property at a time but prior to this they can view showhomes, houses that are built and complete and street elevations by personalised video conferencing.”

Barratt has also signed up to the new government and industry Charter for Safe Working Practice – Covid-19, which supports best practice being adopted across the industry.

Julian Hodder, manging director at Barratt Homes Southern Counties, said: “We back the government’s decision to unlock the property market which will help to drive the country’s economic recovery. We are doing this safely with clear measures in place that protect our customers and employees and additional technology to help with viewing from home. We will be carefully re-opening our sales offices from next week.”

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