WORK is set to begin on the creation of 172 new homes in Irvine, after getting the go-ahead from planners.

North Ayrshire Council planning bosses last week approved an application from Dawn Homes Ltd to build a massive housing development to the north-east of the Grange, Perceton.

The area of green land covers around 12.9 hectares and, when completed, will be entered through a new junction at Old Stewarton Road and the B769.

The proposed development includes two distinct areas. The first, an urban extension of Perceton, will comprise 165 mostly detached houses (including 11 bungalows), while the second area will take the form of a farm stead, with a large farmhouse-style building flanked by six smaller homes in a landscaped courtyard.

The development will also include its own paths, children’s play area and open space for recreation.

In the course of the application process, four letters were received from members of the public raising concerns about the plans.

These included worries over the scale of the development, the expected increase in traffic it will bring and the impact on the local agricultural environment.

Planning officers have also highlighted that discussions are ongoing on the subject of affordable housing, which is not currently a part of the plans for the site.

However, at the most recent meeting of North Ayrshire Council’s planning committee, the proposals were approved subject to 13 separate conditions and the agreement that the development will include 26 affordable houses (for social rent) on the site or elsewhere in Irvine.

At the same meeting last week, councillors were also expected to decide on an application to create a new residential development at West Byrehill Industrial Estate, Byrehill Place, Kilwinning.

However, the committee greed to continue consideration of that application to the next meeting.