ASHLEIGH (Scotland) has commenced work on the build of North Ayrshire Council’s largest ever housing development.
The £50 million project will see 202 homes built on the site of the former maternity unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine, delivering a mix of general needs houses, amenity bungalows, and properties suitable for wheelchair users. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
A range of sustainability features will be included across the site, such as air sourced heat pumps to provide heating and hot water, solar PV panels, triple glazing, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and vehicle car charing points at every property.
Scottish Government housing minister Paul McLennan recently joined North Ayrshire provost Anthea Dickson for an official groundbreaking ceremony.
Councillor Alan Hill, cabinet member for communities and islands, said, “This is a landmark development for North Ayrshire Council with work now starting on what will be our largest development of new council homes. We have an ambitious building programme and these properties will help take us further towards our target of building 1,643 homes across North Ayrshire. As well as providing modern, energy-efficient homes for hundreds of families, it will also help breathe new life into what had become a derelict site.
“We have worked closely with the local community and the NHS as neighbours to ensure the design blends in seamlessly with the architecture of the adjacent Ayrshire Central Hospital.”
The development is being delivered by Ashleigh (Scotland). Euan Clark, commercial director at Ashleigh, added, “We are delighted to commence works on the latest affordable housing development for North Ayrshire Council on the site of the former Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine, comprising over 200 much-needed new build homes. The council continues to be a hugely valued client of ours and projects like this allow us both to provide various employment and supply chain opportunities, alongside a number of wider role and community benefit initiatives.”
