Flat pack homes backed by local council

Worthing Borough Council has recently backed proposals for the construction of 162 flat pack, sustainable homes on Fulbeck Avenue.

Swedish company BoKlok, jointly owned by Skanska and Ikea, proposed the scheme to the Joint Strategic Committee on 4th June 2019 and received the backing of the local council to proceed with construction.

The target market of these new homes will be working families in the west Worthing area, as well as individuals in professions such as nursing and teaching, with the aim of the development being to create housing that is both accessible and affordable.

Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, stated: “I very much welcome this innovative proposal from a ground-breaking international firm which could bring real benefits to hundreds of 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.”

Interestingly, the council did not accept a capital receipt in exchange for BoKlok’s construction in the area but instead accepted 30% of the homes which they could then use as social housing for other families and individuals in the local area who struggle even more to get onto the property ladder.

Councillors were convinced by the proposal on account of the homes being created out of sustainable materials, meeting top environmental standards, and being constructed quickly onsite due to them being flat pack.

Councillor Heather Mercer, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Customer Services, which includes housing, stated: “This innovative proposal ticks so many boxes and would help us provide much-needed good-quality housing to hundreds of hard-working families. I look forward to seeing the plans progress in the coming months.”

The first of these flat pack homes will be made available for living within the next two years.

If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here.