NORTH Ayrshire Council has given the go-ahead for 31 new council houses to be constructed by Hope Homes in Seamill, as part of a wider 124-house private development.

The £3.43milion development will be the latest in the ongoing series of projects which is bringing high quality, energy efficient homes to locals.

The project will deliver six two-bedroom amenity ground floor cottage flats, six two-bedroom general needs upper floor cottage flats and 19 two-bedroom general needs homes for council tenants.

The homes will be built using innovative off-site construction methods, which saves time, involves less construction waste, and makes the homes more environmentally friendly.

North Ayrshire Council Leader Joe Cullinane said: “This development at Seamill forms part of one of the most ambitious council housing building programmes under way in Scotland.

“These new houses will be sustainable and high-quality homes which will provide accommodation in areas where people need new housing and, in turn, will secure employment and training opportunities for North Ayrshire businesses and residents.

“We are committed to providing high-quality and energy efficient homes that people can afford to rent. These new homes will incorporate solar panels to generate renewable electricity for tenants. ”

The development at Ardrossan Road forms part of the council’s five-year Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) to deliver quality, accessible homes in neighbourhoods where people want to live.

North Ayrshire Council has committed to building 1,000 new properties by 2023 with a further homes being developed by Registered Social Landlords, Cunninghame Housing Association, Irvine Housing Association, and Trust Housing Association.

Following approval by Cabinet, Council Officers will enter into an agreement with Hope Homes to allow transfer ownership of the site and purchase of the 31 properties for future renting to council tenants.

It is anticipated that construction of the properties will get underway this autumn with completion expected in summer 2019.