East Ayrshire Council has announced plans to invest £131 million in new housing and improving communities over the next five years.

The new strategic planning approach, Housing Asset Management Framework (HAMF), is being used to prioritise improvements and investment, with over 600 new homes set to be delivered.

Approximately £63m will be used to build new housing, while other properties requiring modernisation will benefit from £68m in improvements.

Various upgrades will include:

• Central heating installation

• Roof replacement

• Door and window replacement

• Modern kitchens and bathrooms installed

• Insulation, cladding and other energy efficiency measures

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Earlier this year, the council approved almost £500 million for investment in the area through its Capital Investment Programme, with this new housing programme being in addition to these commitments.

Cllr Eoghann MacColl said: "One of the main changes will be to develop the housing programme in tandem with building strong, resilient, safe and vibrant communities.

"Over the next five years, six hundred new homes will be built in East Ayrshire and hundreds more improved, as we embark on this exciting and ambitious £131 million programme of refreshing and renewing our housing."

Council Leader Douglas Reid added: "Given the very challenging and uncertain economic backdrop this is a once in a generation opportunity to develop a new strategy that focuses on people, quality and improvement and to invest accordingly.

"Since 2007 East Ayrshire has benefited from the delivery of over 900 affordable rented homes.

"This new programme will see a further 604 being built across our communities bringing the total to over 1,500.

"We will continue to make significant improvements and we'll be working with tenants to offer alternative accommodation while improvements are made, or if new homes are to be built."

(LM)