The UK’s first BoKlok timber frame housing development, the housing concept pioneered by IKEA and construction company Skanska, will get under way on Tuesday.
Developer Live Smart@Home, which has an exclusive licencec to build BoKlok properties in the UK, is starting work at St James Village, Gateshead in preparation for erection of the homes in October/November.
The first phase will involve 36 flats, followed by 84 two- and three-bedroom houses. The first residents are expected to move in by January, 2008.
“Providing affordable homes is the holy grail for local councils and housing providers – but it is still one of the most difficult things to achieve,” said local councillor Malcolm Graham.
“BoKlok could offer a new and viable solution to the problem of providing affordable homes and reinvigorating local communities.”
The Scandinavian-style houses will be aimed at households earning between £15,000-35,000 a year.
