North Ayrshire Council has announced that demolition work is set to get under way at the Fullarton high flats in Irvine.

Garnock Tower will be the first of the five blocks to be gradually dismantled as site clearance works reach a landmark stage.

The ultra-high reach demolition excavator is expected on site during the week commencing Monday, March 27.

Once assembled, the machine will commence the structural demolition works at Garnock Court.

Preparatory work got under way last summer and contractors have been busy stripping out internal fixtures from the five 14-storey towers. They have already demolished the lock-ups and concierge station at Fullarton.

Once demolition is complete later this year, work will then start on construction of more than 50 modern, affordable and energy-efficient Council homes.

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The contractors have advised that during the demolition work, dust and increased levels of noise will inevitably be experienced. To minimise the impact of this, they will use water-fed dust suppression hoses, fitted to the working boom of the ultra-high reach demolition excavator, and limit noisy operations to between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Cabinet Member for Place, Councillor Tony Gurney, said: "This is clearly a significant milestone in what is a major housing project for North Ayrshire Council.

"It will be one of the largest regeneration projects we have ever undertaken and will completely transform the area.

"The tower blocks have served us well for more than half a century but, like many other authorities, we are moving away from high-rise council properties and creating a new generation of modern, affordable, energy-efficient homes.

"The transformation of the Fullarton area will be a key project as we continue towards our commitment to build 1,625 new homes in every part of North Ayrshire by 2028."

The decision to breathe new life into the Fullarton high flats site was taken back in 2018 after 66 per cent of tenants voted in favour of the demolition of the tower blocks. A similar vote for the two Saltcoats tower blocks saw tenants vote to retain the buildings and these are currently undergoing extensive improvements.