Plans have been unveiled for new council housing beside Irvine’s Ayrshire Central Hospital site.

The planned development would see around 100 modern, energy-efficient homes on a site neighbouring the hospital.

The development forms a key part of the council’s ongoing plan to build 1,375 new homes across North Ayrshire by 2024.

The new homes will include a range of general needs homes, amenity bungalows and homes suitable for wheelchair users.

North Ayrshire Council is in advanced disussions to purchase the surplus land from the current owners, NHS Ayrshire & Arran.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Place at North Ayrshire Council, said: “We are delighted to work with our colleagues at NHS Ayrshire & Arran who have been fantastic in helping us get to the stage where we can really move our plans up a gear.

“There is a huge demand for social housing and we have pledged to build almost 1400 new homes by 2024 across all localities in North Ayrshire – not only are we delivering on that promise but we’re building stunning new homes in places people want to live.

“These plans complement the proposed developments at the Harbourside and other Irvine sites and will help us provide residents with an array of housing options. These will all be high quality homes, situated in desirable locations, and I’m looking forward to seeing our programme continuing to be delivered over the coming months and years.

John Wright, Director for Corporate Support Services at NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said: “This vacant land on our Ayrshire Central Hospital site was declared surplus to requirements by our Board on 20 August 2018.

“Since then we have been working closely with our colleagues in North Ayrshire Council to sell them the land, which will help them deliver this exciting new housing development for the benefit of the people of Irvine.”

A report is expected to be taken to Cabinet in June 2019 seeking approval to purchase the site.

If agreed, construction works are currently expected to commence on site during 2021 and be complete by spring 2024. Site investigation work has been jointly instructed with the NHS and will take place during spring 2019.

Draft plans are expected to be available for local residents to view during 2020.