Ayr gets government cash to build first new council houses in 30 years

Jan 1 2010 by Cheryl Mcevoy, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A MILLION pounds in government cash will help build new council houses in one of the most deprived areas of Ayr.

The move has been hailed a major step forward in the bid to tackle Ayrshire’s ongoing affordable housing shortage.

Councillor Douglas Campbell explained that the 42 new homes will be the first to be built by the council in more than 30 years.

And the Scottish Government cash will form a key part of the £4.5 million project.

The council’s housing spokesman said: “The provision of affordable housing is a major priority for this council and I am delighted we can now start to directly address this with the first new council houses in some three decades.

“However, there is still a lot of work to be done to deliver the number of houses we need across this area and we cannot be complacent.”

The homes will be built in Thorneyflat Road in the Dalmilling area of Ayr.

Another plan for further homes in the north Ayr area failed to attract funding from the government’s Incentivising New Council House Building Fund.

Councillor Campbell added: “We already have plans for another 26 new homes in North Ayr that did not receive funding, so we will now have to consider how to take that project forward.

“At the same time, building work is already scheduled for 61 new houses in South Ayrshire during 2010/11 – in conjunction with local housing associations – with a further 90 planned for the following year.

“We have developed a forward looking and ambitious housing strategy, aimed at meeting the needs of our communities in South Ayrshire, and 42 new council houses is an important step in terms of laying the foundations for us to deliver quality, affordable housing to tenants and the most vulnerable members of our community.”