THE multi-million pound project to develop a new sheltered housing complex in Stevenston got underway this week.

Provost Ian Clarkson joined Councillor Jim Montgomerie on site on Monday (March 6) to officially mark the next phase of works.

The £5million development has already seen the demolition of the former Glencairn House to make way for the new state-of-the-art facility.

The project is being developed as part of North Ayrshire Council’s Sheltered Housing Re-provisioning Programme and aims to supply high-quality accommodation for older people.

Once complete, the facility will provide essential new housing designed specifically for the elderly.

It will comprise 28 homes – a mixture of one and two bedroom properties – along with features including individual balconies, landscaped courtyard, residents’ lounge and scooter store.

The development is scheduled for completion in Spring 2018.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Place, said: “The construction of this state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility will be hugely valuable for our older residents and we look forward to welcoming them into the building once work is completed next year.”