WORK will start on the controversial New Monks Farm development in January and Ikea will open in spring 2021.

That’s the confident message from Martin Perry, Albion executive director after councillors approved the major project on Wednesday evening.

Mr Perry says he is “obviously really pleased” the plan has been given the go ahead, and now the hard work will start.

He said: “This is all about 875 new jobs, 600 extra homes and, at the same time, safeguarding the future of Shoreham Airport.

“This was a huge step forward and a big relief that our powerful message was listened to by councillors.”

Many residents near the site in Lancing have opposed the scheme along with groups such as Friends of the Earth.

Mr Perry said: “We understand their concerns but very often fears are worse than the reality,

“When we built the Amex, some people said it would be a disaster.

“But look at it now. We welcome 30,000 people into our ground for home matches and it’s just fantastic.

“I do not accept that there will be gridlock issues on the A27 when the development is complete.

“We have spoken to the consultants working for the local authorities and they are confident there will be no drainage issues either.

“If anything, it will be better.”

The next step is for the planning agreement to be finalised, which should take around one month.

Agreements with the contractors will then be completed, leaving a January 2019 start date.

Mr Perry said: “The very first work will be to move the existing travellers’ site on to a new area within the project.

“There will be 16 pitches and it will all be upgraded.

“Next comes building the road on the construction area after the site is levelled out.

“The first homes will then be built and I’m hoping they will be up for sale in 2019.

“It’s a real mixture of houses and flats, and also contains the affordable housing as well, which is important to the local community.

“And then it’s levelling off the Ikea site and building it along with the construction of the new roundabout.

“The new roundabout will take two years and then Ikea will open in spring 2021.”

Mr Perry stressed the economic benefits.

He said: “We are creating hundreds of new jobs, building badly needed homes and securing the future of Shoreham Airport.”

Mr Perry is director of New Monks Farm Development Ltd, the company set up by the Albion for the project.

CALA Homes (South Home Counties) will be building the homes.

Withy Patch Gypsy and Traveller site is the area which will be moved and expanded.