THE keys have been handed over for a £4.4 million affordable housing development in Kilmarnock, delivered by Mactaggart & Mickel Contracts, a division of the award winning Mactaggart & Mickel Group.
The 1.8 acre site at West Langlands has 39 housing units which will be used by East Ayrshire Council, providing much needed affordable stock to the local community. Reflecting the varying needs of housebuyers, the development features six property types ranging from one to three-bedrooms and offers fully accessible wheelchair living.
Peter Shepherd, director at Mactaggart & Mickel Contracts, said, “It was extremely rewarding to work with East Ayrshire Council on this project and help address the shortage of social housing in the area. With the delivery of affordable housing currently high on the political and social agenda, it’s important for local authorities and contractors to work together to help supply projects like this.
“We’ve been delivering partnership developments for a number of years and are well-versed in the need to offer value for money without compromising on quality. We’re currently working on several other affordable housing projects and plan to continue expanding our portfolio for delivering homes in partnership with local authorities and housing associations.”
Councillor Douglas Reid added, “The West Langland Street site is a really ambitious build with 39 new homes being built on the site of the former cattle market. It is like a pleasant oasis in the heart of the town centre. Only a few hundred yards from the bustling Kings Street, John Finnie Street and the railway station, there is a unique mixture of different house types, meeting a wide variety of housing needs, from large family homes to specialist wheelchair accommodation, which will benefit the community. This has probably been the biggest transformation of any housing site to date, on the site of the old cattle market which has lain derelict for years.
“This whole area was at one time a thriving industrial scene, with the former cattle market just metres away from Andrew Barclay’s Caledonia Works. Demolished in 2009, the cattle market site will soon be thriving once again with new tenants moving in. Throughout East Ayrshire over 200 affordable homes are being built, providing specially designed new homes for elderly and disabled residents. The tenants I have visited at the sites already completed find their new homes life changing and I know that West Langland Street will be no different.”
