Construction of Irvine harbourside’s fancy new multi-million-pound council housing development is set to start this week.
Work at the planned 71-home development, which is being supported by the Scottish Government, began yesterday [Monday, October 26].
On completion, the site will provide 24 general needs homes, eight wheelchair liveable properties, 11 amenity bungalows and 28 properties within a sheltered housing complex.
It forms part of the council’s vision to deliver 1,575 new homes – one of the most ambitious council house building programmes in the UK.
Due for completion in autumn 2022, the development will deliver much-needed new council homes at the town’s harbourside.
The properties have been designed to include a mix of modern, affordable, energy-efficient housing on the vacant site opposite the old Magnum centre.
They will benefit from sustainable features including dual zone heating controls, low energy LED lighting and solar photovoltaic panels placed on homes throughout the site to reduce fuel bills for tenants. The older people’s housing will include the latest assistive technology to help residents live independently in their own homes for longer.
Consultation with Harbourside residents and businesses helped develop the plans, ensuring the development is sensitive to its unique coastal location.
Cllr Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Green New Deal and Sustainability, said: “We all recognise that there is a pressing need to build more social housing which is why we’re extremely proud of our ambitious housing building programme.
“But it’s not just about building houses – it’s also about making sure that we build them in places that people want to live.
“This is a fantastic location and thedevelopment will be complemented by the exciting £14million plans to develop the Great Harbour at Irvine, through the Ayrshire Growth Deal.
“This is a long-term investment in Irvine harbourside which will hopefully unlock the area’s potential as a major tourist destination. With the right mix of public and private investment, Irvine harbourside can be a major waterfront destination with huge appeal to tourists.
“We are extremely excited for the works to get underway, ready for residents to move in by autumn 2022.”
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