A North East planning firm has unveiled a package of measures to continue to support regional planning and keep people safe as the COVID-19 lockdown starts to ease.
The move by Hedley Planning Services follows the Prime Minister’s announcement last night that some sectors such as construction and manufacturing will see a gradual return to work in the next few weeks.
The north east-based firm, which is open for business and actively supporting the development industry and planning sector via home working, is continuing to cooperate closely with clientson new instructions and completion of existing ones while observing official guidance.
It has introduced new guidance and procedures to ensure its staff can work effectively and safely with clients and planning authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic as the current arrangements for safety and wellbeing are relaxed.
These include guaranteed practices to reassure planning officers, authorities and clients that personal health and safety and social distancing measures such as the two metre rule on site, are properly followed as the restrictions ease and there’s a phased return to normality.
Sean Hedley, managing director at Hedley Planning Services, said as a responsible employer it’s important to have the strong measures in place that will reassure those that the company does business with over the coming months.
He said: “It’s important to observe the guidance, but we are continuing tooffer services and professional advice, investing the appropriate time and resources. We are working to support the development sector and planning chain, offering advice, expertise and assistanceto help all involved wherever possible.
“We are open for business and ready for the restart with the proper procedures and practices in place as lockdown eases. This sends a strong message as commercial planning activity starts to ramp up.”