New affordable housing will now be built in the Kilmarnock central area thanks to funding of £250,000 from the Scottish Government.

The East Ayrshire Council had been invited to apply for a share of a new £25m fund which was set up by the Scottish Government to encourage a new generation of council house building.

The Council had bid for £250,000 which equated to £25,000 of funding per house and the full amount has been awarded. This will allow the Council to push ahead, within this financial year, with plans to build ten, two bedroom sized social rented houses suitable for older or disabled people.

Ahead of the funding announcement it was agreed that plans for the demolition and reinstatement works of the building on the site of the former St Matthew's school at MacDonald Drive, Kilmarnock, which has been chosen as the preferred site for the new houses, should be progressed.

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It was also agreed that, subject to Cabinet approval, Atrium Homes would be appointed to design and manage the build process. This will be discussed at the meeting of Cabinet next month.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council said: "I am very pleased with the funding announcement from the Scottish Government. This funding will allow the Council to provide smaller affordable housing suitable for our aging population, will help to replace stock lost through Right to Buy sales and allow the allocation of larger houses to families who wish to remain within their own communities. In this way we will help to alleviate pressures on the affordable housing waiting lists.

"The Deputy First Minister recently announced that there will be a second round of funding bringing the total available to £50m. Second round funding applications have now been invited and I can confirm that the Council will be submitting a further bid which will enable us to pursue our plans for the creation of sustainable communities throughout the area."

(GK/JM)