AN old block of flats in Kilwinning that have been lying empty for months have finally been demolished.

The 48 flats in Glenapp Place and Sundrum Place in Pennyburn have been levelled to make way for 22 two and three-bedroom houses.

Last Wednesday (January 8) the diggers finally moved in to knock down the buildings and strip them internally. The flats were fully demolished last Saturday (January 11) and the site will be cleared within the next three weeks.

After years of petitioning, residents calls were finally answered and the flats that had been falling down around them for some time were declared destined for demolition. Irvine Housing Association are behind the £2.1 million project and hosted a farewell street party last July for tenants and residents with the work set to be completed by this summer.

Irvine Housing Association’s Director of Operations, Nicola Thom said: “The demolition of the flats is a symbolic event for the Pennyburn community.

“They’ve stood at the centre of Pennyburn for almost 50 years, so to see them demolished and replaced with new homes will have a big impact.

“We promised that we would demolish the flats when we joined Riverside in 2011 as it was a major priority for the community.

“They have been involved throughout the planning stages and had input into the design of the new homes. We are looking forward to delivering our promise and significantly improving the overall area.” Affordable housing developer Lovell has been chosen by IHA to build the new homes.

The design-and-build project will create 17 two-bedroom houses, four three-bedroom houses and a two bedroom bungalow designed for a resident using a wheelchair. The development has been designed by Croft Goode Architects.

Ann Robertson, Chair of Pennyburn Tenants & Residents Association said: “The flats really divided the estate, so having new homes in their place will make a huge difference to the area and to our community.”