SALTCOATS’ high flats will be retained and have a brand new sprinkler system installed, it was confirmed on Tuesday.

The ambitious proposals for the future of North Ayrshire’s seven tower blocks were confirmed at the council’s cabinet with the five blocks in Irvine coming down as part of the plans.

Council Leader Joe Cullinane said: “From the outset, we have said we would listen to what the residents wanted and that is reflected in the proposals being put before us.

“A clear majority of tenants in Irvine want us to proceed with the demolition of the tower blocks, which will be replaced by high-quality, energy-efficient homes.

“In Saltcoats, it was evident that residents do not want us to replace the two tower blocks so we will now move ahead with proposals to upgrade the buildings.”

The Herald previously reported how owners of flats in Saltcoats could not be forced to have sprinklers fitted and the council have now confirmed that this is the case and that part of this improvement programme will involve the installation of a sprinkler system in the two tower blocks. Owner occupiers and private landlords will not be expected to pay a contribution towards costs of installation of sprinklers in common areas. Additionally, owners cannot be compelled to install sprinklers in their own properties but they will have the opportunity to opt-in, at their own cost, if they wish to install them as part of the wider work programme.

The proposals were drawn up following a six-week engagement exercise which attracted responses from 82 per cent of tenants and residents in the Irvine and Saltcoats tower blocks.

It is currently expected that re-housing all tenants in Irvine could take up to two years, which would allow demolition to go ahead and the building of new houses on the site of the tower blocks and elsewhere by 2023.

In Saltcoats, 79 out of 94 households responded, with 65 per cent in favour of retaining the two tower blocks and 34 per cent choosing the option for demolition. 1 per cent stated no preference.

Consultation is expected to get under way by autumn on the improvement proposals.