Work starts on new council housing development in Kilmarnock

The ground has been officially broken at a new housing development in Kilmarnock that will see 43 new East Ayrshire Council homes being built for older ambulant disabled residents by the council’s strategic partner CCG (Scotland) Ltd.The new homes at Witch Road/Witchhill Place have been developed in response to an identified housing need as figures project that the number of pensionable-aged people in East Ayrshire will increase by 18.5% between 2016 and 2041.The development, which will feature a mix of one and two-bed sized bungalows being created on the cleared site at Witch Road/Witchhill Place, is being designed to promote social inclusion for the new residents and will feature a private garden area and bespoke seating outside the residents’ homes.Councillor Jacqui Todd, cabinet spokesperson for housing, welfare and poverty, performed the official ground breaking and was joined on the site by leader of the council, Councillor Douglas Reid and local elected member Councillor Tom Cook.All the homes, which are being delivered through the Scottish Procurement Alliance, will meet Housing for Varying Needs and Secure by Design standards and Silver Standard accreditation. The new homes will also have fire suppression measures installed in the form of sprinkler systems.The project is being developed with funding from the Scottish Government and is part of its target to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.