MAJOR plans for an extensive refurbishment of Saltcoats’ two tower blocks are gathering pace.

North Ayrshire Council has committed to upgrading Lambie Court and O’Connor Court following a Cabinet decision earlier this summer.

As part of a consultation exercise in April, tenants and residents were asked whether they wished to retain or demolish the buildings.

Of the households which responded, 65 per cent were in favour of retaining the two tower blocks and 34 per cent chose the option for demolition.

One per cent stated no preference.

Following on from that vote, council officers began preparation of detailed investment proposals for the installation of sprinklers and scheduled maintenance works within the blocks.

Those proposals have now been drawn up and residents have this week received letters detailing the scale of works due to be carried out and the planned timescale.

The works will include the installation of a fire suppressant system, new entry doors for the blocks, and decorative improvements to the ground floor common areas.

Council tenants will also see a range of improvements to their homes, including new doors, re-wiring and the installation of replacement electric central heating, among other works. The homes will then be fully redecorated.

Private owners in the tower blocks will be able to opt-in to these internal improvements at their own cost if they wish.

To allow the works to be carried out, tenants will be decanted in phases. It is proposed that a number of properties in the tower blocks which are currently empty will be refurbished to temporarily accommodate tenants whose flats are being refurbished.

Final designs and costings are expected to be drawn up by February 2019 before a contractor is appointed and the refurbishment gets underway in autumn 2019. The refurbishment across the two tower blocks is expected to take about a year to complete.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Place, said: “Every step of the way, we’ve encouraged our tenants to tell us what they want and we have listened.

“This refurbishment of the high flats is a major programme and there will undoubtedly be some disruption but once complete, I’m sure the tenants will be delighted with the end result.”

Further consultation sessions have been organised for later this month.

If you are a resident within the blocks and wish to attend one of the sessions – being held on Friday, 26 October – you must book a place beforehand.

This can be done by contacting Housing Services on 01294 324031 or by email at developmentandstrategy@north-ayrshire.gov.uk no later than Wednesday, 24 October 2018.