A total of 29 modern and energy-efficient council homes have been built on the site of the former Stanecastle School in Irvine.

This £8 million development, supported by over £3m of Scottish Government grant funding, has seen the creation of 17 general needs homes, as well as eight homes suitable for wheelchair living and four amenity bungalows.

With tenants having recently moved into their brand new homes, Provost Dickson officially opened the new development at Longacre Drive and Burns Crescent.

Councillor Alan Hill, cabinet member for Communities, Housing and Islands, said: “It’s wonderful to officially mark the opening of the fantastic new homes on the former Stanecastle School site. We are delighted with the feedback we’ve received so far from tenants who have already settled into their new surroundings.

“The properties at Stanecastle are just the latest new homes to be delivered by North Ayrshire Council and make a valuable contribution to our target of delivering 1,643 modern, affordable council homes by 2030, alongside our buy-back programme. And we are well on our way to achieving that total with 975 new units already completed.”

The development was delivered alongside partners hub South West and construction partner Ashleigh (Scotland) Limited.

Tom McEwan, development and operations manager at hub South West Scotland, said: “The Stanecastle housing development looks great and marks a significant step forward in delivering modern, energy-efficient homes that meet the needs of local people both now and into the future. At hub South West, we are proud to be working in close partnership with North Ayrshire Council and our delivery partners, Ashleigh (Scotland) Limited, to bring this vision to life.

“Through the integration of sustainable design principles, local employment opportunities, and meaningful community engagement, Stanecastle is setting a new benchmark for affordable housing across the region. This project is not just about bricks and mortar – it’s about building a stronger, healthier, and more connected community. We’re committed to ensuring that every project we support leaves a lasting legacy, and Stanecastle is a shining example of what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together with shared ambition and purpose.”

Euan Clark, of Ashleigh, said: “We were delighted to deliver the much-needed newbuild affordable housing units at Longacre Drive, Irvine. North Ayrshire Council is a valued client for us and we’re proud to continue that relationship, in partnership with Hub South West.

“The Scottish Government has made clear its objectives in supporting projects like this, and it is vital that support continues in years to come. This continuity allows us to deliver on our collective community wealth objectives through supply chain and apprenticeship opportunities.”

The energy-efficient homes at Stanecastle support the council’s efforts to combat climate change and tackle carbon emissions. They have been built with features such as enhanced building insulation, air-source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels and triple-glazed windows.