WORK on a new Ikea and 600 homes next to the A27 is in full swing.

Construction efforts on the New Monks Farm development in Lancing are now well under way.

Photos show builders getting to work in muddy fields close to the A27.

Plans for an Ikea and hundreds of homes were given the go-ahead earlier this month after Albion-owned developer The Community Stadium Ltd agreed to pay £3.6 million towards a new primary school.

The project will also include a community centre and an A27 access roundabout.

The Community Stadium Ltd will first relocate the Withy Patch travellers’ camp before it begins work on a new A27 roundabout.

Work is then expected to begin on the rest of the development, with hopes the Ikea store will be finished next year, though no timescale has been confirmed.

As part of the agreement signed with councils, the developer will also put money towards healthcare, libraries and policing.

But environmental campaigners believe traffic on the A27 will increase dramatically because of the new homes.