Hundreds of affordable homes are to be developed in Kilmarnock.

The development is part of a £5.3million investment by the Scottish Government and also includes plans to turn a former Kilmarnock bottling plant into a low carbon development.

Around £3.5 million will be invested in the former Johnnie Walker bottling plant. The site will include an enterprise and innovation hub for business startups, a renewable energy centre and commercial and leisure units.

The Scottish Government investment includes £1.8 million from the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme for a new geothermal heating system that will provide low cost, renewable energy for the new homes.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: "I have already made a commitment to support an Ayrshire Growth Deal and this ambitious new development is part and parcel of that commitment.

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"As a responsible, progressive nation, Scotland must also continue to demonstrate strong leadership on climate change. That is why I'm pleased that the Scottish Government will also be able to support our first new geothermal heating system in almost two decades, allowing local residents to access low carbon energy at an affordable price.

"We want to support local economies as well as the next generation of innovative manufacturing and digital companies, which is why the HALO project is such an exciting development. I'm sure that the Ayrshire and Scottish economies will reap the benefits from this project for years to come."

Marie Macklin of The HALO Kilmarnock, said: "Right from the outset The HALO has been about creating a community solution for this site that the people of Kilmarnock and Ayrshire can be proud of. This has truly been a joint effort and this additional support from the Scottish Government will help to turn this vision into reality, creating up to 1,800 jobs in the process and contributing £63 million of GDP to the Scottish economy.

"A £65 million development across three phases, The HALO will feature a new Urban Park, surrounded by entrepreneurial businesses in computer technology, cyber research, engineering, fashion, financial services and light manufacturing and an Enterprise and Innovation Centre, ensuring that the young people of Ayrshire can develop the skills needed to benefit from the 4th industrial revolution – the digital revolution."

(CD/MH)