SIX hundred new homes will be built in East Ayrshire and hundreds more improved in the next five years, as East Ayrshire Council (EAC) embarks on a £131 million programme of refreshing and renewing its housing stock.

Earlier this year, EAC had already approved almost £500 million for investment in the area through its Capital Investment Programme and the new housing programme will be in addition to these commitments.

The programme was formally approved at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning.

The aim is to exceed national quality and efficiency targets and help all residents live in high quality, affordable homes and to build vibrant communities.

Councillor Eoghann MacColl, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities said: “We’ve almost 13,000 tenants and we want to ensure that we provide sustainable and quality homes that meet their future aspirations.

“We have already fully achieved the Scottish Housing Quality Standard for all of our stock and are making excellent progress towards meeting the national energy efficiency targets.

“We’re seeing how successful Community Led Action Plans are in delivering improvements at the heart of the community and it makes perfect sense that housing is part of this positive and ongoing process.

“One of the main changes will be to develop the housing programme in tandem with building strong, resilient, safe and vibrant communities.

“Over the next five years, six hundred new homes will be built in East Ayrshire and hundreds more improved, as we embark on this exciting and ambitious £131 million programme of refreshing and renewing our housing.”

A new strategic planning approach is now being used help prioritise improvements and investment, allowing resources to be used more efficiently and effectively.

This will see approximately £63 million invested in building the new homes.

Other properties requiring modernisation will be benefit from a £68 million improvement programme, including central heating installation, roof replacement, door and window replacement, modern kitchens and bathrooms installed and insulation, cladding and other energy efficiency measures

Councillor MacColl added: “One area we’re particularly keen to address is the number of empty properties on our books.

“These cost an average £2 million each year in lost rent and we’ll be looking to replace or improving these.

“In addition, we have some 200 homes where we can make significant improvements and we’ll be working with tenants there to offer alternative accommodation while improvements are made, or if new homes are to be built.”

Council Leader, Douglas Reid said: “Given the very challenging and uncertain economic backdrop this is a once in a generation opportunity to develop a new strategy that focuses on people, quality and improvement and to invest accordingly.

“Since 2007 East Ayrshire has benefited from the delivery of over 900 affordable rented homes.

“This new programme will see a further 604 being built across our communities bringing the total to over 1,500.

“We will continue to make significant improvements and we’ll be working with tenants to offer alternative accommodation while improvements are made, or if new homes are to be built.

“We have a commitment to keep residents and tenants fully informed, letters and leaflets have been sent making people aware of the possible changes, well in advance of any work taking place.

“People make homes, homes make neighbourhoods and neighbourhoods make communities. You can’t have one without the other.

“By recognising this across all our services, we’re acting now, to build firm foundations for progress with everyone, working mutually, to create safer, stronger and vibrant communities, now and for generations yet to come.”