Buckingham MP gives Kingsbrook’s COVID-19 Safety Measures the Seal of Approval

Five star housebuilder Barratt Homes recently welcomed Buckingham MP, Greg Smith, to one of its developments to see the new safety measures that have been put in place following the Coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Smith attended Kingsbrook, a flagship development built in partnership with the RSPB, to see first-hand the work implemented by the housebuilder to ensure Buckinghamshire homebuyers can move and staff can work on site safely.

Barratt carefully designed revised protocols and procedures so that it was ready to open its doors at the Burcott Lane development when given the green light.

The MP met with Dan Evans, Operations Director of Barratt Homes North Thames, to learn more about the range of safety measures and new working procedures which meet or exceed government, industry and public health agency advice.

The measures include protective Perspex screens, retractable barriers, strict social distancing and, where necessary, personal protective equipment (PPE), plus intercom systems and door locks to enable customers to engage with sales teams before entering offices.

He was also able to see how Buckinghamshire homebuyers will now be able to reserve a new property after meeting with Sales Director Karly Williams, Sales Manager Louise Ballmann and Sales Adviser Sam D’Costa.

Mr Smith then went on to meet with the site team to see how construction work is being carried out with the new measures.

Commenting on his visit, the MP said: “It was a pleasure to visit Kingsbrook to see the Covid-secure measures put in place to ensure work can continue, protecting jobs and the wider construction supply chains. 

“It was particularly good to hear how Barratt Homes has returned the money granted to them under the Jobs Retention Scheme (furlough) to the government, finding it was not needed in their case.”

Whilst at the development, Mr Smith was delighted to support the housebuilder’s community time capsule, which will capture ‘life during lockdown at Kingsbrook’, by contributing a book, facemask and a collection of photos showing life as an MP during lockdown.

The housebuilder recently invited residents at the development to bring in their own contributions and fill out activity booklets to put in the Kingsbrook time capsule which represent and capture their life during an uncertain time.

Dan Evans said: “As we have now carefully re-opened our sales centre following the government’s decision to unlock the property market, we were delighted to show Greg Smith the new measures in place to help people move home.

“As a responsible housebuilder, the health and safety of our employees, sub contract workforce and customers remains our number one priority, and as demonstrated during the visit, we have adapted our sales and site offices and construction sites to accommodate the social distancing guidelines.”

Kingsbrook won a silver award for ‘Best Public Realm’ at the WhatHouse Awards 2019 in recognition of the work that the housebuilder has done alongside the RSPB and Aylesbury District Council to create an environmentally friendly housing development which encourages nature to flourish.

Around 60% of Kingsbrook is made up of green space. As well as an orchard, this includes ponds, parks, meadows and nature reserve. These features have been implemented to cultivate a sanctuary for wildlife and to create spaces where people and nature can exist harmoniously.

Throughout the development there are plenty of native planting and ecological features such as bird and bat boxes, swift bricks and wildlife corridors.

To book an appointment to view Kingsbrook and find out more about the homes now available, visit www.barratthomes.co.uk or call the sales team on 0333 355 8500.