A decision has been taken to build a replacement children's residential house at a site on Grassyards Road, Kilmarnock.

Since 2003, the East Ayrshire Council has been working towards a replacement Children's Home for vulnerable young people from Kilmarnock and the surrounding area.

The accommodation will provide care for six children, with a separate transitional living development, who are unable to live with their own families due to concerns for their care and protection.

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Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council said: "A cross party Member/Officer Working Group, which was formed to take this project forward, has worked very hard to evaluate the sixteen site options that were put forward for this house. After extensive deliberations the working group recommended that the site at MacDonald Drive, Kilmarnock be considered for the children's residential house.

"As Chair of Cabinet I invited the Members of the Working Group and local elected members who had special interest in this matter to speak to Cabinet so that a full and transparent debate could take place.

"During the debate further advice was taken from the Head of Roads and Transportation regarding the access of both the MacDonald Drive site and the Grassyards Road site. He advised that there were no anticipated access problems with either site."

A business case will now be developed for the Grassyards Road site and a planning application submitted.

(GK/JM)