Work has started on a new housing development in Mauchline, East Ayrshire. The £1.38m project will see the homes built in the heart of the town centre, on a site on Skeoch Road.

A charitable trust, Jean Armour Burns Houses Ltd, approached the local authority for assistance to take on the responsibility of a terrace of existing tenanted homes, as well as an adjacent site. To protect the tenancies of the elderly residents living there, the Council purchased the land which will now boast 10 new, affordable properties for the elderly and ambulant disabled.

The works are being managed by Atrium Initiatives are managing the project on behalf of the Council, with McTaggart Construction building the homes. The development is due for completion in January 2015.

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Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council, said: "The Skeoch Road site is a key part of the Council's Strategic Local Programme which will see over 200 affordable homes being built in town centres throughout East Ayrshire fulfilling our objective to promote town centre living and in turn aid town centre regeneration.

"The development has been beautifully designed by architects Robert Potter & Partners of Ayr and has been influenced by the Princes Trust project at Knockroon. The homes will have mock chimneys, slate roofs and timber windows, ensuring that they fit seamlessly into their historical environment."

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess, added: "I am delighted with the progress at this new affordable housing development in Skeoch Road, which the Scottish Government has provided £460,000 in funding towards through our Affordable Housing Supply Programme."

Jim O'Neill, Chairman of Atrium Homes, commented: "This is the seventh Council house building project Atrium has been involved with and we are delighted once again to be able to share our development expertise with the Council on this prestigious development and in such an historic location.

"We hope that the partnership between the Council and Atrium continues to be an effective means of providing affordable housing across all the communities of East Ayrshire."

(JP/MH)