Progress is being made on a number of new housing developments in East Ayrshire.

Construction work is currently underway on sites in Kilmarnock and Stewarton, as well as Cumnock, Darvel, Galston and Mauchline, the local authority has said.

The Council's Strategic Housing Investment Programme will see more than 200 new, affordable homes built. The developments are being supported by the Scottish Government through their Affordable Housing Supply Programme, which helps to provide employment and homes for local people as well as boosting town centre regeneration.

Some of the housing sites include:

• Rennie Street. Work commenced on 10 new homes in April. The properties comprise of two single-storey, two-bed specially adapted homes for wheelchair users; four two-storey, two-bed family homes, and four two-storey, three bed family homes. The development is scheduled for completion in January 2015.

• West Langlands Street. The site, which belonged to a former cattle market, will accommodate 39 affordable homes featuring a mix of accessible accommodation and larger family homes. It will include one- and two-bedroom flats, three-bed family homes and three-bed homes suitable for wheelchair users. It is scheduled for completion in May 2015.

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• Witch Road. This development is due for completion in 2015, and will consist of 12 assisted living flats for tenants with a range of support needs.

Commenting on the progress being made, Councillor Douglas Reid said: "Our town centres are buzzing with construction activity at the moment as our new housing developments move forward. It's exciting to see corners of our communities being transformed in this way and to witness new developments emerging from historic and derelict sites.

"These homes will be life changing for many local people; many have been designed specifically for older people and for wheelchair users, promoting town centre living with easy access to all the local amenities. It was a privilege to take the Minister round all of our housing sites today – considerable progress has been made since her last visit."

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess added: "Since 2008 we have provided over £34 million in grant funding to support the construction of nearly 700 affordable and social rented homes developed by East Ayrshire Council and local Registered Social Landlords.

"This significant investment has helped hundreds of families onto the housing ladder, and highlights our commitment towards providing new high quality and affordable homes for the area. Many of the new homes currently under construction will be specially adapted for wheelchair users and others with a range of support needs, helping people to live independently and in comfortable surroundings."

(JP/IT)