Worthing leaders welcome BoKlok announcement
Worthing Borough Council leaders have welcomed news that innovative housing provider BoKlok UK has stepped up its commitment to investing in the town.
The sustainable, quality and low-cost home provider, which launched in the UK in 2019 and is jointly owned by Skanska and IKEA, has today (February 4, 2020) announced the exchange of contracts on its first three developments.
Worthing is the first of those with a planning application to create about 150 properties on land west of Fulbeck Avenue now submitted.
Pending approval, BoKlok homes will be priced so that home ownership is more accessible for local working families. As part of the deal, the Council would be able to retain control of 30% of the units, ensuring it can provide social housing to those on the local waiting list.
Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “I very much welcome the movement forward on this deal with a groundbreaking firm which could bring real benefits to local families.
“In this current market it's extremely tough for local people who are in full-time work to get on the housing market. This proposal could change that, giving these hard-working individuals a genuine chance to buy their own home without having to move out of the town.
“The fact these homes can be built quickly, to a high quality and meet top environmental standards makes this an extremely attractive proposition.
“With an application now submitted, everyone will have the chance to examine the details of the proposal ahead of the planning committee making a decision in the coming months.”
BoKlok homes are completed using modern methods of construction. This enables high quality, low and predictable costs and minimum waste.
The completed homes are manufactured off-site and feature high quality IKEA fittings. They are then transported to the construction site for assembly.
In addition to Worthing, BoKlok have signed deals to bring forward proposals in Bristol and Peacehaven. Together these sites will provide around 400 homes, subject to planning permission.
BoKlok President Jonas Spangenberg said: “We are delighted to meet this first milestone for our UK business. We are grateful to our partners and the local authorities we are working with who have been supportive in sharing our vision of sustainable, quality, low cost homes for all.”
The first developments are expected to be completed in 2021.