Approval of hundreds of new homes sparks fears for schools and doctors’ surgeries capacity.

Persimmon Homes received council approval to construct 365 two-storey houses and 24 flats in Mayfield Road in Stevenston this week. (wed 4 Dec)

Independent councillor Ronnie McNicol said: “I don’t know how the surgery is going to cope. They are full to capacity.”

He also raised the issue of whether Auchenharvie Academy would have the room to accept all the new pupils.

A North Ayrshire Council (NAC) Planning Committee meeting heard Glencairn and Mayfield Primaries were in the catchment.

Raising questions about school capacity, Provost Ian Clarkson said: “There is not doubt people living in the development will want their children to go to the school at the top of the development.”

The Provost pointed out Glencairn Primary is some distance away from the building site.

Jim Miller, strategic manager of planning at NAC, said the homes would be constructed in phases over the next 10 years.

He described the impact on the schools as a drip feed effect.

Mr Miller said: “It is a welcome development for our area.”

Independent councillor Robert Barr was concerned about traffic safety and mooted the idea of a roundabout in the vicinity of the new estate.

But Mr Miller assured him it would not be necessary.

At the same meeting Taylor Wimpey received permission to erect 198 homes to the west of Dalry Road in Kilwinning.

The firm said it has 250 possible buyers expressing interest in moving into the town.

The first homes should be ready to buy later next year.

Conservative councillor Tom Marshall described the new estate for the town as a good development with a mixture of house types.