New flats demolished after storms damage structure

The £12.6m development of five blocks of flats was completed in 2024

A block of flats on a West Sussex development completed just last year is being torn down due to storm damage.

Bad weather in winter 2023 and into 2024 meant builders were unable to fit the roof to Block Five in Fulbeck Avenue, Worthing.

Developer BoKlok UK said the structure was not protected from the elements as the temporary weatherproofing it installed was "insufficient".

It is expected to take up to eight weeks to demolish the block, but the developer said it did not have an estimated timeframe for it to be replaced.

Work to tear down the flats has already begun

Christoffer Hallersbo, regional director at BoKlok UK, said: "To safeguard the long-term safety of the site, the difficult decision has been made to dismantle the building.

"The quality of our homes as well as the safety and wellbeing of our customers is our highest priority."

BoKlok UK, which built the development with Vivid Homes, said it aimed to recycle 95% of the materials.

Vivid Homes told the BBC that Block Five was not one of its properties.

There are five blocks in total on the site, comprising 152 apartments. Block Five has an estimated value of £1m.