Britain's first IKEA homes branded an 'eyesore' and plagued by rats
Locals overlooking Britain's first IKEA homes have blasted the "eyesore" buildings - which they say are a magnet for anti-social behaviour and plagued by rats.
The Bristol development, known as BoKlok on the Brook, is the first of its kind to be built of outside of Scandinavia, and is headed by a partnership between the furniture retailer and a Swedish construction firm.
But people living in homes which overlook the blocks say their lives have suffered as a result of the project, and have already complained to their local MP. Building work began on the site in 2020 before being hit by delays, with some final parts of the complex still waiting to be finished.
Building work began on the site in 2020 before being hit by delays (Tom Wren / SWNS)Mark, 57, a neighbour to the BoKlok development, said his area had been overrun by vermin since construction started on the flats. He said: "We've got traps down the alleyway. We had a bit of a problem with rats before but it got really bad when they started work."
Building work began on the project in 2020 but was hit by delays. At one stage, developers had to put up some residents in AirBnbs while they waited for the work to be finished, according to local reports. Complaints then started to emerge about vandals getting in to the empty site by breaking through fencing.
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One man bemoaning the apparent lack of security wrote on Facebook: "BoKlok UK again no security around the site at boklok on the brook this is happening all the time now, the site is a magnet for [kids] getting in, to make matters worse this has been closed for nearly two weeks and NOTHING has been done."
BoKlok UK replied online, and said they were "aware" of the recurring vandalism and admitted that additional security on site had "not totally mitigated the problem. "We have been in touch with Avon & Somerset Police, who will be sending out an officer", they added.
Developers had to put up some residents in AirBnbs while they waited for the work to be finished, local reports say (Tom Wren / SWNS)Invasion of privacy has also been a common complaint from locals, with the tall flats peering into neighbouring houses and gardens. Retiree Frederick Truckle, 71, who lives on a neighbouring road, said he now grows his hedges taller because of the lack of cover, describing the situation as "disgusting".
He said: "Without that I'd be looking in their windows all the time, and they'd be looking into mine. It's terrible. It's an eyesore." Supermarket worker Jackie Bowey, 61, who also lives on the same road said the finished building did not resemble what had been originally proposed.
She said: "I saw the plans at the BoKlok office in 2021 and they were totally different. When they said they were building them, the plans showed that the houses wouldn't be facing us - that it would be brick. So when they started building I contacted them and said it's not on because you said they wouldn't be facing us. They said there's nothing we can do about it now. I got onto Karin Smyth and Chris Jackson. I said I think it's disgusting that [the development is] overlooking my garden."
Jackie says a BloKlok team member came to visit her house after she complained. She claims: "He came over and said 'what's the problem?'. I said 'can't you see it right in front of your face?' I asked if they could build a higher fence and he said no because that would mean more planning permission. This is my family home and they just don't care what you say. The value of my home could be affected because of this."
Jackie Bowey, 61, said the finished building did not resemble what had been originally proposed (Tom Wren / SWNS)Occupants of the flats have also complained of snagging problems in the finished properties, which the developer said had been rectified. The IKEA homes, which were built in partnership with construction firm Skanska, sit on the busy A4174. The road runs to the south on the outskirts of Knowle West, which is one of the city's more deprived areas.
Construction work is still being carried out at the site, although all the houses now seem to be in place. The houses are not built from scratch on site but are usually delivered in two parts.
A BoKlok spokesperson said: “All homes at BoKlok on the Brook have been delivered as per our planning consent. We appreciate that a housing scheme still under development from time to time may cause inconvenience for existing residents and neighbours, however we are working with third-party contractors to complete all works required for the benefit of all residents as well as those who are moving in during the final build phase.
"Our aftercare team is committed to supporting our customers and have rectified snagging defects within the reporting times allocation. If there are any customers who have a specific concern, which they do not feel has been sufficiently addressed, we would always urge them to contact our customer care team direct – whose details have been provided.”
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