PEOPLE in Ardrossan are being urged to have their say on plans to build new council homes in the town.

A total of 19 new properties are planned for the site of the former James McFarlane School on Dalry Road.

Now residents and other interested groups are being invited to view the plans in detail and to speak to the contractor about the project.

The former assisted needs school was merged into the Lockhart Campus in Stevenston, and the building was demolished in 2021.

Planning officials from North Ayrshire Council (NAC) gave the green light to the proposals in April last year.

The £5 million project – which is being supported by a Scottish Government grant of around £2m Scottish Government - will feature a mix of general needs houses, amenity bungalows and homes suitable for wheelchair users.

Members of the public are being invited to a consultation event being held at the Whitlees Community Centre from 4-6pm on Tuesday, January 16,

The event will allow interested people to obtain information about the project, view the final site plans and house designs, and discuss the building works with the contractor, Ashleigh (Scotland) Limited.

To book your place at the event, email developmentandstrategy@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or telephone 01294 324031.

Councillor Tony Gurney, NAC's cabinet member for green environment and economy, said: “North Ayrshire Council is delivering one of the most ambitious house-building programmes in the country.

“We have committed to building more than 1,600 new homes across North Ayrshire and are already more than halfway towards achieving that target.

“These new modern, energy-efficient homes in Ardrossan will help push us further towards achieving our ambitions.

“The new affordable homes champion the strategic priorities set out within the Council Plan by improving wellbeing and addressing climate change through the delivery of energy efficient homes which are accessible and have been designed to easily adapt to tenants’ changing needs.

“Consultation with local residents and housing applicants ensures that our new homes contribute to community cohesion and our contractors’ participation in the council’s Community Benefits Scheme means that training and employment opportunities will also be available for North Ayrshire residents.”

Work is currently scheduled to get under way in early 2024, with completion expected in summer 2025.

The plans for the new homes at the former James McFarlane site are also available to view online at the council's website.