East Ayrshire Council funding to provide over 700 homes

At the recent meeting of the council's Cabinet, an investment of almost £28m was agreed in an aim to ensure that the council’s house building programme continues across.

Since 2010, the council’s house building programme has delivered 585 homes across East Ayrshire.

To reflect the importance of Housing within East Ayrshire, the service presented seven reports that were approved by members of the Cabinet.

The reports, which are presented annually, take a strategic approach to the delivery of new homes and improving existing homes.

Cllr Reid and Cllr McMahon at the new Council homes within the Barratt development The Scholars (Image: East Ayrshire Council)

The East Ayrshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2024-2029 was approved by the Cabinet and it was agreed that almost £28m will be invested over the five year period.

The SHIP aims to deliver up to 762 new, converted or acquired affordable homes through the council’s house building programme and RSL partners.

Site starts have also been achieved at Kennedy Drive, Kilmarnock where 48 new homes will be built and work is well underway on the assisted living housing development at Kilmarnock Road, Mauchline.

Cllrs McMahon and Reid with local members and reps from Housing Services, FPM, EAHSCP, Enable Scotland and CCG (Image: East Ayrshire Council)

Work remains ongoing at the large development on Bridgehousehill Road, Kilmarnock, where 101 homes will be built by our RSL partners.

As part of the Housing Asset Management Report, Cabinet agreed to consult with tenants on a rent increase for 2024/25.

Tenants will be presented with two proposals – a rent increase of 6.5%, which is an average increase of £5.18 per week and a rent increase of 7.5%, which would be an average increase of £5.97.

The second proposal would allow for the previously approved developments at Mason Avenue and Castle Street, New Cumnock to go ahead.

New homes within East Ayrshire are being developed with additional grant investment funding from the Scottish Government and contributes to their target to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: “We have seen positive impacts from our approach to Housing Services here in East Ayrshire on our local economy, in job growth and opportunity, improved community wellbeing, supporting our children and young people to thrive and now delivering a key part in a green future through significant investment in existing and new build net zero homes."

Net zero homes in East Ayrshire. (Image: East Ayrshire Council)

Councillor Jim McMahon, Cabinet Spokesperson for Housing, Transport and Communities, added: “We ensure that housing demand is assessed fully and that our plans are future proofed by investing in areas of need.

"Housing is a long term investment and as we move forward, we will be looking more closely at demographic projections for East Ayrshire, say 40 years from now, when our population will look considerably different, we need to make sure that the housing we are building now will still meet those needs.

“The housing investment programme isn’t just about the homes though, it is about community and making positive change.

"I am pleased that we have agreed to the rent consultation with our tenants and that it clearly sets out an option that two would allow for housing to be built in New Cumnock.

"This project would really improve the village and provide much needed homes for local people.”