HOUSE-building Hagan Homes has resumed work on eight construction sites across the north, which it had shut down more than a month ago
Workers were back on sites in Belfast, Carrickfergus, Antrim and Lisburn, with the company insisting it has implemented adequate social distancing measures.
It comes as the Ballyclare-based company, founded more than 30 years ago, reported increased sales in the year to June 30, according to accounts filed at Companies House.
It increased its sales over the year from £17.2 million to £19.2 million, but both its gross profit and bottom line profit slipped back marginally to £4.1m and £2.7m respectively, principally because Hagan's cost of sales rose from £12.5m to £15.2m.
The directors say they were "pleased" with the performance, adding that the group has invested in additional land banks to enable future development.
The company's chair and founder James Hagan said the decision to return to work came after careful consideration.
He said: “We stopped work on all our sites at the end of March to protect our contractors and their staff.
“Government advice was that construction sites could only remain open if they were outdoor and if social distancing takes place - this advice hasn’t changed.
“I've reviewed the construction phases at all of our sites and, working closely in partnership with our contractors, have determined schedules of work that can be safely progressed, whilst adhering to strict social distancing.”
Work resumed yesterday at sites at Seventy Six South and Thirty Three South, both in south Belfast; Thirty Three North in north Belfast; Rose Garden, Dunmurry; Ballyveigh, Antrim; The Tides, Carrickfergus; and at the Thaxton Village and Wallace Gate site in Lisburn.
James added: “Our contractors will be complying with Construction Employer Federation guidance and social distancing guidelines. Personal protective equipment has also be made available to anyone accessing the sites.”
To help potential home-buyers during the lockdown period, Hagan Homes is offering Northern Ireland’s first ever virtual show-home viewings via www.haganhomes.co.uk, where prospective buyers can explore live sites with a sales agent who provides a live guided online 3D tour of properties and engages in a live Zoom chat.
He said: “We're committed to helping existing and potential new home-buyers during this difficult time, and this new virtual viewing service is available for six of Hagan Homes’ eight active developments.
“The viewing set-up allows buyers to interact with the estate agent and ask questions about everything from fixtures and fittings to room sizes, driveway space and gardens at the latter developments which include everything from one and two bed apartments to three bed semi and detached properties.”
