Consultation launched as flat-pack furniture giants IKEA target second Sussex homes project

Plans have been submitted for 112 sustainable ‘flat-pack’ IKEA homes on land next to the Littlehampton Academy.

Housing company BoKlok, a partnership between Swedish furniture giant IKEA and construction company Skanska, has proposed a ‘new community’ that will connect to Rosemead Park through a landscaping scheme.

BoKlok is renowned for its flat-pack timber homes which are manufactured offsite and put together at the development.

The affordable homes off Fitzalan Road would include one and two-bedroom flats and two and three-bedroom houses arranged around areas of open public space.

BoKlok has also committed to financial contributions to improve Rosemead Park if planning permission is granted.

According to the developer, the plans will include affordable housing and private homes based on the ‘left to live’ pricing model, which takes into account the average salary of a full-time worker and the size of a mortgage they can realistically afford.

BoKlok developments also place a premium on creating green, active communities.

According to the developer’s application: “It’s a vital element of any BoKlok project that the spaces between buildings promote life and activity, and that the community is well connected to local facilities, to succeed in creating a great new place, and building the value of the

BoKlok brand.

“Whilst each project will be unique and tailored to its environment, there is an aspiration that each Boklok neighbourhood should have a green heart at its core – an external place where residents can congregate to socialise, relax or play in a high-quality landscape setting.”

In this development, that would involve a community hub in the centre of the site with ‘natural play space elements’ such as boulders and balancing stones, as well as open garden spaces for social gatherings,

The plans could also include hedging and ornamental planting arrangements, as well as ‘grow zones’ with raised bed planters for herbs and vegetables.

Access to the site will be from Fitzalan Road, with no vehicle access from Elmgrove Road except in an emergency.

Pedestrian and cycle routes are proposed throughout the development as well as dedicated car parking space for residents.

Sustainable travel will also be encouraged through car club spaces and electric car charging stations.

BoKlok is consulting on its proposals, with the public able to comment until February 11.

Read more on the plans and have your say here: www. bokloklittlehampton.com

BoKlok already has a planning application for 150 homes in Worthing being considered.