Work is ready to get underway on a state-of-the-art sheltered housing complex in Saltcoats.

The £6.48million project will see 36 new homes created at the former Canal Court and David White Centre which have been demolished to make way for the 21st century complex.

The new Canal Court development has been designed specifically to meet the needs of the older population in North Ayrshire.

Homes within the centre will benefit from a communal lounge, secure landscaped courtyard, a visiting services room and scooter store.

And it will also include a community hub, developed in partnership with North Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership, which will offer a range of clubs, classes and activities not only for residents but for the wider older population.

Yvonne Baulk, Head of Service (Physical Environment) at North Ayrshire Council, said: “One of our major priorities at North Ayrshire Council is to deliver homes that are suitable for the long-term needs of local residents.

“The new Canal Court sheltered housing complex will deliver that by being fully accessible and easily adaptable to cater for the varying needs of our older population.

“It will transform the way the residents are supported and enable them to stay in their homes for as long as possible, while also helping to tackle the growing problem of social isolation.

“This is an exciting new development and will make a huge difference to the health and wellbeing of the residents.”

Work is scheduled to start in the near future on the construction of Canal Court, which will be undertaken by Hub South West. HubSW have previously been partners in delivering successful projects such as Arran’s Montrose House, the new Garnock Community Campus and North Ayrshire’s Professional Learning Academy.

Residents within the former Canal Court have already been decanted to other suitable accommodation to enable the demolition and forthcoming construction works to begin.

Ground-breaking is due to get under way soon at the site, with the aim of opening the new complex by summer 2018.