Construction work is under way on the latest new council homes to be built in Irvine.
Provost Anthea Dickson officially marked the beginning of the construction phase of the development at a special ground-breaking ceremony this week.
The development on the site of the former Stanecastle school in Irvine will create 29 new homes.
The properties will feature a mix of general needs houses, amenity bungalows, and homes suitable for wheelchair users.
The £7.8million development has received Scottish Government funding of £3.2million.
Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Communities and Islands, said: “The cost-of-living crisis has brought home to us all the need to support our communities to live is a safe, secure and healthy environment, which is fundamental to their wellbeing.
“One of the key factors in that is being able to provide comfortable and affordable accommodation so that everyone has a place to call home.
“The new homes at the former Stanecastle school site will be the latest step towards reaching our development goals.”
Michael Ross, chief executive of development partner hub South West, said: "We are delighted to start work on this project and work in partnership with North Ayrshire Council to deliver their next generation of sustainable housing.
“We are proud to have delivered over 380 affordable housing units to date for the authority and look forward to enabling more community wealth building outcomes from the affordable housing programme.”
Euan Clark, Commercial Director at Ashleigh (Scotland) Limited, said: “We are delighted to get started on this much-needed new build affordable housing development. North Ayrshire are a valued client for us and we are proud to continue that relationship, in partnership with hubSW.
“This continuity allows to deliver on our collective community wealth objectives through supply chain and apprenticeship opportunities. We look forward to working with the delivery team towards a successful handover of these developments.”
To help mark beginning of construction work, pupils at neighbouring Annick Primary School took part in a poster design competition, on the topic of health and safety.
The winners were Poppy Greenwood (P1/2) and Daniil Panagushyn (P7), who were presented with prizes by Provost Dickson.
It is hoped that the project, which is being delivered by hub South West and construction partner Ashleigh (Scotland) Limited, will be completed by summer/autumn 2025.
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