AN HISTORIC high street pub looks set to be used to house elderly residents after council bosses bought the former boozer last year.

Council chiefs confirmed the purchase last year after community councillors previously raised the alarm on the state of the building back in 2018 during ongoing High Street regeneration.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We are currently preparing draft plans for the redevelopment of the former King’s Arms, Irvine, and we currently anticipate that the site could accommodate six amenity flats, which can be let to applicants with an accessible housing need.

“We will require full Planning Permission to redevelop the site and early discussions have taken place with Planning Services and Historic Scotland.

“It is currently anticipated that the draft plans for the development will be available for public consultation during autumn 2021. If all goes according to schedule, it is hoped that works can commence on site during late 2022 and be completed during 2024.”

The Kings Arms building was bought for £130,000 last year, funded from the Housing Revenue Account, plus VAT of £26,000 – which council leader later stated was good value for money with a social return.

Council chiefs announced the purchase back in May after the Times revealed the plans in January.

Provost and Irvine West Cllr Ian Clarkson said: “We are always looking at ways to bring more people, and jobs, into the Town Centre, and this could allow us to do that. There is also the physical look of the building, and we would ensure it was well looked after.”

Council leader Joe Cullinane said: “I do believe it represents value for money and also provides a social return. This is a large building situated in the heart of one of our town centres that has lain empty for years and over time its condition has deteriorated significantly.

“It wasn’t attracting any interest from prospective buyers therefore without council intervention it would have continued to lay empty. The owner in this occasion was willing to sell to the council and has in fact sold the building below the calculated market value.

“Under the Strategic Housing Investment Plan we can purchase then develop the property into town centre housing which will assist with regeneration of the town.

“It also means it will attract a Scottish Government grant while the rest of the funding will come from the affordable housing account, meaning there has been no contribution from the council’s general fund towards this project.

“The purchase of the King’s with the intention of converting the building into council housing is a success story.”