House builders will be able to apply for longer working hours on construction sites, while small and medium-sized developers may be able to defer the payments they are normally required to make to fund affordable housing and local infrastructure.

The measures were announced today by housing and communities secretary Robert Jenrick as part of plans to get the property market moving again.

Extended hours on construction sites with work continuing up to 9pm on weekdays will be considered by councils in order to allow workers to comply with social distancing guidelines and also to help developers to catch up on work that stalled during lockdown.

Meanwhile the government has asked local authorities to allow smaller developers to defer the contributions to infrastructure and affordable housing that they are usually obliged to make as a condition of their planning permission in order to ease cashflow difficulties.

Federation of Master Builders chief executive Brian Berry says: “I welcome the housing secretary’s statement this afternoon regarding the sector’s safe return to work. 

“The government clearly recognises the need to support small to medium-sized house builders at this pivotal time. 

“Following conversations between the FMB and the housing minister, I’m especially pleased to see that local authorities are being encouraged to take a more flexible approach to community infrastructure levypayments as house builders have been struggling with cashflow and need support to continue building.”

He adds: “Speeding up the planning system will be welcome news for many smaller house builders who struggle to negotiate what has typically been an unwieldy process. 

“I hope that digitisation will mean greater access and transparency in planning decisions for all those involved.”

Home Builders Federation executive chairman Stewart Baseley says: “Over the past week or so many house builders have commenced a gradual return to work, in a structured way that ensures the safety of its workforce and the general public.  

“The industry sustains hundreds of thousands of people in numerous roles and associated sectors, boosting local economies across the country. 

“A resumption of work will play a major part in helping the economy recover as well as delivering the homes the country needs.  

“It should also provide the supply chain with the confidence it needs to accelerate its own restart.”