New Harrogate housing sites set to reopen as market springs back to life

Harrogate district's housing market is stirring back into life with three major housing developers announcing they are reopening sites in Harrogate, Beckwithshaw, Ripon and Boroughbridge - strictly under government guidelines.
Taylor Wimpey North Yorkshire's Harlow Green development in Harrogate.Taylor Wimpey North Yorkshire's Harlow Green development in Harrogate.
Taylor Wimpey North Yorkshire's Harlow Green development in Harrogate.

The restarting of building work follows the latest UK Government guidance which came into effect on Wednesday , May 13, removing restriction on non-essential home moves and supporting the return of activities related to the sale and purchase of homes.

Persimmon Homes Yorkshire

Persimmon Homes says it is reopening its sites to househunters across England – with strict social distancing and health and safety measures in place.

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On-site marketing suites and show homes have been closed since March 25 when the UK-wide Covid-19 lockdown was introduced.

The Government has now confirmed that they can reopen safely, as long as social distancing is applied, and additional hygiene measures are in place.

Persimmon Homes’ King Edwin Park development plus its sister brand site, Harlow Hill in Harrogate are among the first to reopen.

All Persimmon sales staff have received training to ensure they know how to keep visitors safe.

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Scott Waters, deputy managing director of Persimmon Homes Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted that we are now in a position to be re-opening our developments to visitors who pre-book appointments.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of the public and everyone who works on our sites remain the top priority.

“Our sales advisers have worked extremely hard to help existing and new customers during this difficult lockdown period and continue to be able via phone and email. Reservations and completions have, in fact, remained strong despite no face-to-face contact.

“Even so, being able to meet with househunters, albeit at a safe distance, is an important step forward and will be a help for many people. Looking around the show homes to see the type of properties on offer is also valuable for many people.

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“We look forward to welcoming visitors in the days and weeks to come.”

During lockdown Persimmon worked closely with its colleagues, sub-contractors and suppliers to develop and test a range of new protocols to enable work to recommence safely, in anticipation of a potential return to its sites and its sales offices.

Chief executive David Jenkinson said: “We support the Government’s view that the housing sector has a key role to play in the UK’s economic recovery. The urgent need for new homes has not been diminished by COVID-19 and the new measures announced by the Government will reopen the housing market and allow people to get moving again.

“Our sales colleagues can now begin to return to site but staff and customer safety remains our first priority and we have put in place new protocols and training procedures to enable them to restart operations safely.

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“Persimmon decided not to access any form of Government support during the shutdown period and has maintained its commitments to its colleagues and communities in full throughout.

“Now, as we re-start activity, this decision is also enabling us to get back to work swiftly and safely. Persimmon is open for business and we are looking forward to welcoming customers back to site and continuing to play our part in rebuilding Britain’s economy.”

Initially, sales consultations will be on a pre-booked appointment basis only. To book, visit www.persimmonhomes.com and call the number listed on the individual development page.

Taylor Wimpey North Yorkshire

Taylor Wimpey North Yorkshire says it is to begin a phased approach to reopening its sales office and show homes across the region next week.

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Next Friday, May, 22, Harlow Green in Beckwithshaw will open its doors to customers with strict social distancing requirements in place.

A new set of protocols for all sales offices and show homes has been developed alongside new safety measures which have been introduced to protect the health and safety of its customers and employees.

These include the installation of Perspex screens and marker guides for social distancing. Show home viewings will be unaccompanied and only one family at a time will be able to view each home.

The Harlow Green sales teams have been helping customers remotely through the lockdown period and customers are encouraged to maintain contact digitally where possible. Customers wishing to visit the development will need to book an appointment in advance.

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Steven Ball, sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey North Yorkshire, said: “Reopening our sales offices and show homes is a significant step for both staff and customers.

"I want to assure the public that we are not prepared to compromise on health and safety, which is why we will be operating the Harlow Green sales office on a strict appointment-only basis.

“I am confident that our revised health and safety protocols and guidelines mean that we can operate safely and I know our sales executives are looking forward to safely welcoming customers once again.

"I also understand that some customers may still prefer not to visit us in person. Our sales team has been working remotely over the past few weeks, helping customers through each stage of the homebuying journey and we will continue to offer remote appointments.”

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Taylor Wimpey was the first UK homebuilder to stop construction on sites and close sales centres in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown restrictions. A phased return to construction has since restarted on a number of sites across England and Wales, with staff and subcontractors operating under a robust set of revised health and safety practices and protocols.

To book an appointment to visit Harlow Green, call 01423 637251, email [email protected] or visit http://www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

Harron Homes Yorkshire

Harron Homes Yorkshire, has announced it will be reopening its onsite marketing suites for individual customer appointments from Saturday, May 16.

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Following the latest government and industry guidance, Harron has put a number of safety measures in place to enable customers to visit the marketing suites and showhomes.

Harron Homes' sites include Kings Croft development in Killinghall, Bishop’s Glade and Studley View in Ripon, and Hockley Croft in Boroughbridge.

To welcome customers back as soon, and as safely, as possible customers are asked to book appointments in advance.

These appointments are easily booked by phoning the development or via the online webchat on the Harron website, www.harronhomes.com

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This ensures a personalised house-hunting experience where any questions can be answered in-depth, and showhome tours can be focused on the aspects most important to the individuals.

Harron’s enhanced online offering still enables customers to shop for a new home from the comfort of their existing one with features ranging from 360° virtual showhome tours to introducing webchats.

Kelly Booth, Sales and Marketing Director of Harron Homes Yorkshire said “While technology is fantastic, we know nothing compares to seeing a house in person, so we are very pleased to be reopening our marketing suites and showhomes this weekend.

“The safety of our customers and staff is a priority, so we really appreciate customers cooperating with the measures we have put in place for everyone’s wellbeing.”

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Developments in North Yorkshire are contactable on the usual phone numbers as listed on the Harron website (www.harronhomes.com) between 10.30am-5.30pm.

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