£20 million homes underway in Ayrshire village

Jul 16 2010 by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A MAJOR new housing development has been launched in an Ayrshire village.

And the £20 million project will see 156 houses built in Tarbolton.

Ayrshire housebuilder Hope Homes is working in partnership with Ayrshire Housing.

There will be 126 houses for sale, planned in four phases.

And in the first phase of 27, 14 are already sold, with a further five reserved.

The 30 houses for rent have been specially designed by Ayr-based Lawrence McPherson Associates.

They meet Ayrshire Housing’s own requirements as well as blending with the homes for sale.

On completion early next year,18 four-person and 12 six-person houses will be available for let.

Four of the six- person houses are especially suited to wheelchair users.

Scottish housing minister Alex Neil officially launched the new development.

He said: “I have long recognised the quality and commitment of both Hope Homes and Ayrshire Housing.

“And I’m pleased the Government has been able to use its support for the affordable element.

“This will complement Hope Homes’ own efforts to provide much needed new homes for sale to the village – and with it local construction jobs.”

The 30 houses for rent represent an investment of £4m. This has been made possible by a Scottish Government Grant of £2.3 million.

In addition, South Ayrshire Council has made a grant of £80,000 to allow four of the houses to be built to wheelchair standard.

Ian Hope said: “Hope Homes and Ayrshire Housing have a long standing relationship in terms of affordable housing.

“Projects have already been completed at Dalrymple and Maybole, and beyond Tarbolton, further partnership developments are planned for Fisherton and, as part of a wider regeneration initiative, in Ayr.”

Founded in 1990, Hope Homes Scotland has built a reputation for high quality developments in Ayrshire’s small burghs and villages.

It has successfully addressed a market niche largely ignored by the volume builders. The company is now working with the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment on the Knockroon development, as well as a number of other projects.

Ayrshire Housing is, after South Ayrshire Council, the main provider of affordable rented housing with 1400 stock.

Its board consists of five tenants, five community volunteers and five council nominees.

Every tenant is a voting member of the company which has an annual turnover of £4.5 million, most of which is reinvested in the Ayrshire economy.

Pearl Boyd, Ayrshire Housing’s vice-chairman, welcomed the continuing support of South Ayrshire Council.

And she is pleased that former council leader Councillor Hugh Hunter and Councillor Mairi Low have joined Councillor John Allan as board representatives.