The foundations of a new £2.2m plan to provide nineteen new high-quality, socially affordable houses have been laid at Forehill in Ayr.

Pupils from Forehill primary school, joined local councillors and South Ayrshire Council officers to set out the marker posts for the new homes in what has been described as an “ambitious building programme”.

The new homes, expected to be complete by May 2013, will be built at sites on Glencairn Park and Gavin Hamilton Court, with a children's residential unit being built at Caledonia Road.

The Council's investment includes £570,000 from the Scottish Government and the new homes are a mix of one bedroom cottage flats and two and three bedroom terraced and semi-detached houses.

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Councillor Philip Saxton, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “This is an exciting multi-million pound development to deliver much needed modern and affordable homes to rent in the area.

“From the beginning, we were committed to an open and clear consultation process with the local community to listen to what they had to say.

“Throughout the design and planning process, we kept local people up to date with progress and welcomed feedback through a local newsletter.

“As a result, we've committed a further £200,000 towards enhancing Glencairn Park, to provide new play equipment for children and improve drainage in the area.

“In addition, we considered ideas, suggestions and opinions on how the new housing should look and how it could fit into the local community and this important dialogue has been instrumental in shaping the Forehill development.

“I'm absolutely delighted building has begun, with fantastic, modern and affordable homes scheduled to be ready in 2013.”

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