Builders will return to work at some of Kent's major construction sites, developer Bellway has announced.

The house builder is among various firms which have said they will resume work on a phased basis from Monday.

Developers temporarily shut down their sites amid concerns over social distancing following the Prime Minister's lockdown announcement on March 23.

Since then the government has said construction sites, deemed a vital part of the economy, could continue to operate where they comply with public health guidelines.

Bellway said in recent weeks it has developed measures to ensure social distancing is in place across its sites.

However, it added it would be concentrating its efforts on those properties in the latter stages of construction.

Subcontractors will be allowed back on site to complete tasks they can perform on their own, such as painting, carpentry, tiling, landscaping and general finishing work.

Among those developments reopening from Monday is the Hinxhill Park site in Willesborough Lees.

The 24-acre plot will link Ashford's William Harvey Hospital with the A20 as part of a new road signed off by Ashford Borough Council’s planning committee.

It will feature 22 two-bed houses, 83 three-bed and 70 four-bed, as well as a number of flats.

Meanwhile other Bellway developments remain on hold, including 221 carbon friendly homes in Ebbsfleet Garden City and Dartford's Copperhouse Green development.

The Lowfield Street site was once earmarked for a major Tesco development but those plans fell through after a 11 year tussle with planning authorities.

Development finally began last year after lying dormant for nearly two decades but the onset of Covid-19 has brought that to a halt.

All sales centres and show homes will also remain closed.

A spokesperson said: "The wellbeing of our customers, employees, workforce and the general public remains our priority.

"We remain committed to providing the highest levels of customer care possible during the current situation and all customer care calls and emails have continued to be responded to as normal during this period, but customer care works in customers’ homes remains suspended.

"We will continue to attend emergency situations where necessary, taking all required and recommended precautions to ensure the continuing safety of our customers and workforce."

The company said it had placed 75% of staff on furlough, the majority of which were directly employed site tradesmen, managers and sales advisers.

In addition company bosses have volunteered for a temporary 20% reduction in pay until atleast May 30.

Last year, Bellway Homes recorded a 3.4% rise in pre-tax profit to £662.6m in the year to the end of July.

In the period from August 1 2019 up until today, the group completed the sale of 6,506 homes, including 493 which were completed on or after lockdown.

The developer said it was taking a "modest number of weekly reservations" but expected sales activity to remain severely restrained until sales outlets can reopen.

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