BRIGHTON and Hove Albion has respondes to comments about its move to build 600 homes as part of a £170 million scheme that will also lead to the arrival of Ikea in Sussex.

The Premier League club has submitted a planning application to Adur District Council for the development of New Monks Farm in Lancing.

It has partnered with CALA Homes (South Home Counties) for the project.

Adur has a policy requirement that 30 per cent of the houses should be affordable to meet the needs of people on its housing waiting list and young people trying to get on to the property ladder.

A statement on the club’s website said: “CALA will work with Adur District Council to identify a housing association that will be responsible for managing the properties.

“The affordable homes will be a mix of units for both rental and for shared ownership.

“All of the rental properties will be allocated to people on the council’s housing list, and priority will be given to people with a local connection and who demonstrate the greatest need.

“The shared ownership homes will be sold to those that cannot afford to purchase a property in the open market, and require financial assistance.

“The first phase of development will see 75 homes delivered in the next three years.

“There will be no visual differences between the affordable homes and the rest of the houses on the site.

“All will be built with the same high quality of construction.

“The development will be built in a series of phases, and as each phase is developed, homes will become available for occupation.”

This process is expected to begin from autumn 2019.

The plans are expected to create more than 1,000 jobs and contribute £11 million to the local economy.

It will also bring £40 million of transport improvements, including the removal of the Sussex Pad traffic lights.

The 35,000sqm Ikea store will include a restaurant, creche and children’s play area.

It will create 430 full and part-time jobs in customer relations, sales, interior design and food service.