£5m flats are unveiled in Ayr

Jul 24 2009 by Edwin Lawrence

A STRIKING six-storey block of flats is the latest addition to Ayr’s skyline.

The 44-house Viewfield Court was officially opened by Scotland’s housing minister Alex Neil.

The £5 million Ayrshire Housing project is designed to cater for a range of needs.

The complex is a mix of flats – many with lift access – and town houses.

It comes as a result of the long partnership between Ayrshire Housing and South Ayrshire Council.

And it contributes to the regeneration of the Wallacetown area.

The affordable housing project has benefited from a Scottish Government grant of £3.8m.

It was built by Prestwick-based Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd who sourced much of the structure from Ayrshire manufacturers.

The striking design is by Roan Rutherford of Austin-Smith:Lord.

Tenant Lesley Gibson helped Mr Neil cut the ribbon at the official opening ceremony.

And among other tenants he met was Alison Keating.

After seeing her new sixth floor home, the minister said: “The Scottish Government is investing record amounts of funding in boosting Scotland's stock of good quality affordable homes.

“Over the next three years we are investing £1.5 billion, and this year £23 million will directly support the affordable housing sector in Ayrshire.

“This superb new development is great news for local people looking for affordable rental housing or low cost home ownership and for the local economy and jobs.”

Mr Neil later met with Ayrshire Housing’s board to discuss the prospects for more affordable housing locally.

Paul Torrance, Ayrshire Housing’s chairman, commented: “We were impressed with Mr Neil’s frankness about the difficulties that we have getting new affordable housing projects underway at the moment.

“However, he has some very interesting ideas about how the councils, housing associations, the private sector and the Scottish Government can work in new ways to deliver much-needed new housing.

“We intend to take these up with our colleagues at South Ayrshire Council and with the housebuilders.”