The SHIP set out the priorities for affordable housing investment in North Ayrshire over the next five years and outlined how the council and its Registered Social Landlord partners would deliver these priorities.

So far, the council had delivered 1,025 new build homes against its previous targets, with 641 homes in the pipeline.

Plans were made to enhance the programme by increasing the council’s cumulative new build development target to 1,719 new homes – an increase from the previous target of 1,666.

The report considered by cabinet highlighted a combined commitment for the council and its partners to deliver a total of 1,226 affordable properties over the six-year lifespan of the SHIP 2027–2032, supported by a projected Scottish Government grant funding envelope of £107.568 million.

Councillor Alan Hill, cabinet member for Communities, Housing and Islands at North Ayrshire Council, said: “There is no doubt that North Ayrshire is successfully delivering one of the most ambitious housebuilding programmes across the country.

“We are well on our way towards our target of building more than 1,700 brand new, energy-efficient homes in every part of North Ayrshire.

“So far, we have built 1,025 new homes with a significant number of additional properties currently progressing through the pipeline, including major developments at Ayrshire Central, Montgomerie Park, and Fullarton Street in Irvine.

“By adding even more developments into our plan, we strengthened our commitment to build modern, affordable and accessible homes in communities where our residents wanted to live.”

Recent milestones included the completion of 50 homes at the former Garnock Academy site in Kilbirnie, a milestone which meant the council had delivered more than 1,000 homes under the current housebuilding programme.

Future plans feature major investments across North Ayrshire, including the ongoing construction of the council’s largest single development at Ayrshire Central which will see 202 new homes built.