Blake Morgan April 2020: COVID-19 update

COVID-19 is posing a significant challenge to many businesses in the UK including the construction industry. We have collated recent insights from our experts to help you at this difficult time.

Advice on temporary suspension of sites in light of COVID-19

We are all learning to adapt in these difficult times of “lockdown” with questions arising as to what this means both for working and social lives.

For construction, the picture is especially confusing: sites are active and are not yet on “lockdown” but there are broader concerns given the need for “social distancing”. The Government has not mandated the closure of construction sites as a result of COVID-19.

Fighting COVID-19: Permitted development to assist temporary hospital provision

We mentioned last week that planning rules are changing rapidly in an unprecendented way to assist the COVID-19 response.

The latest development is the introduction in Wales of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2020/367 (the Order) from 30 March 2020.

Hot food takeways – permitted development rules flexed to combat COVID-19

At 10 am on 24 March, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2020 (SI 2020 No.330) came into force.

This introduces a permitted development right called ‘Class DA’, which allows restaurants, cafés, and drinking establishments to provide takeaway food from 10am on 24 March 2020 until 23 March 2021, without needing to apply for planning permission to do so.

Chief Planner’s advice to planning authorities: Keep calm and carry on

The latest Chief Planner’s letter to Chief Planning Officers (March) contains key messages for heads of planning Authorities during the COVID-19 crisis.

Temporary changes to planning in Wales

The planning system in Wales has been diverging from its English roots for some time. Now, in an attempt to respond to the deepest national crisis for many a year, the Welsh Government has proposed making changes, that will sharpen the ability of authorities to deal with, and process, applications and enquiries.

COVID-19 Business Fact Sheet

With the current COVID-19 outbreak having a significant impact on businesses and economies worldwide, the UK Government has announced various measures aimed at mitigating the financial impact of the crisis on UK businesses.

This is a very fast-moving situation and new measures are announced regularly as the government attempts to address the key issues facing British society. We are monitoring government sources and will update our advice as promptly as possible in response to new information.

Blake Morgan April 2020: COVID-19 update

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