NORTH Ayrshire Council is expanding its masterplan to build hundreds of new council houses.

The newly-approved Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) will secure investment in a total of 1,695 properties across North Ayrshire from 2020-2025.

The plan includes a commitment for more new-build homes on top of the council’s present proposals.

Yvonne Baulk, Head of Service (Physical Environment), said: “We already have one of the biggest council house building projects in the UK and our new Strategic Housing Investment Plan really underlines that commitment to provide modern, affordable homes for our residents.

“Our ambitious house-building programme has delivered 345 new homes so far and, by 2025, we will have built 1,575 high-quality, new council homes, with the Registered Social Landlords adding to that total.

“These new homes will be built in every single part of North Ayrshire, from Irvine to the Garnock Valley, from the North Coast to the Three Towns, and even on our islands.

“This is all part of our transformational ambitions for North Ayrshire. Major construction projects like this are crucial in our drive to regenerate our towns and will also secure new and existing jobs and training opportunities for North Ayrshire businesses and residents.”