A newly-constructed supported living development has officially opened in Kilmarnock.

The facility, Lilyhall Gardens, will welcome its first tenants later this week.

The £1.6m development, undertaken by McTaggart Construction, is located on Witch Road in the area and offers accommodation for those with a range of support needs. Thirteen tenants will benefit from bright, modern flats with amenities such as wet floor showers, rise and fall kitchen units in wheelchair access flats, door entry system with fob access, an enclosed, safe, private garden and 24-hour on-site support.

Accessed from an "internal street", the flats have a single point of public entry and exit for additional security for residents. The properties are also energy efficient; for example, the internal street has been formed with full height south facing glazing panels over two storeys, while solar panels have also been incorporated to further reduce energy consumption.

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Elsewhere, each flat has been installed with telecare systems which can be adapted to suit the individual needs of each tenant.

Attending the opening of the facility, Councillor Tom Cook, spokesperson for Improving Community Safety, said: "We're very excited about Lilyhill Gardens. It's a development which will help to maximise residents' independence, but also provide support when it's needed through around the clock care assisted by technology and equipment where required.

"These modern, accessible flats fit well with the shift in focus towards meeting people's personal outcomes, helping to return control to them and encouraging them to consider which solutions are most appropriate to meet their outcomes and expectations.

"We look forward to seeing the new tenants move in later this month and to hearing about how their lives are changing positively in their new homes."

(JP/MH)