BUILDERS are working on a project to provide almost 200 new homes throughout East Ayrshire, including sites in Cumnock, Auchinleck, and Mauchline.

A recent cabinet meeting at the council resulted in the creation of a Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP), to be in place for the next five years.

Its purpose is to promote town centre living and meet the needs of local people, now and in the future, as well as providing a basis to apply for Scottish Government funding.

Currently, two developments in Cumnock and Mauchline are nearing completion with tenants collecting their keys early in the New Year, while another two sites in Auchinleck have been earmarked for new homes.

Leader of East Ayrshire Council, Douglas Reid, said: “The homes we are building across East Ayrshire are life changing for local people. As elected members for these areas, we have immersed ourselves in these projects from the very start.

“We look at suitable locations, work with architects and our planning team on the plans, and visit the sites to meet with our contractors to view the work being carried out. But it’s really when we visit completed homes and meet the people living in these homes that it hits home just how important SHIP is to local people.

“New housing development locations have been identified in the coming years, including Barbieston Road in Auchinleck. And following concerns raised about our original plans for a housing development at Glengyron Avenue in Cumnock, we have reviewed our plans and I am pleased to say that these new homes will now be built at Dalshalloch in Auchinleck.

“Meanwhile, the addition of a site in Dalrymple means that all wards in East Ayrshire will now have some new council housing.” Through SHIP, the council sets out how resources will be used to deliver its affordable housing supply priorities, which include delivering more new-build, affordable homes within key town centre locations throughout East Ayrshire, increasing the number of people living in and around town centres and assisting economic regeneration.

It is estimated that by 2023, almost 13,500 residents will be over 75 years and it is essential that plans are put in place to allow older people to remain within their own homes for as long as possible. The SHIP contains plans for new specially designed homes for older and ambulant disabled people.