North Ayrshire's largest ever affordable housing development

 North Ayrshire Council's largest ever affordable housing development was officially opened today by the Provost of North Ayrshire, Joan Sturgeon.

The development consists of 80 high quality new homes for social rent.  The cost of building the new homes was £8.2 million.  This was jointly funded by North Ayrshire Council and the Scottish Government - which contributed £3.68 million towards the project through national housing grant subsidy.



Cllr Ruth Maguire with North Ayrshire Tenants representatives

 Irvine Councillor Ruth Maguire commented "This high quality, sustainable development supports independent living and reduces energy bills through its enhanced specifications and has already won BREEAM's 'EcoHomes - Very Good' accreditation and also Scottish Building Standards 'Bronze' award for sustainability.  Local residents were invited to participate in a number of Public consultations at key stages of the design phase and the feedback received informed the final design.  It is wonderful to see the finished result today. I wish all the tenants many happy years in their new homes."  





ANCHO official opening and community BBQ

Enjoying the music with Margaret Burgess MSP
and Provost Joan Sturgeon

It was a pleasure to attend the official opening of ANCHO's refurbished maisonette blocks and Community BBQ on Friday.  The refurbished blocks and new grassed area have made a real difference to how the area looks and it was great to see everyone enjoying the entertainment in the sun.  


The blocks were renamed by ANCHO tenants, Golf View and Academy View.  In a lovely touch it was the youngest tenant Millie who did the honours officially opening them.

Golf Views youngest tenant Millie officially opens the block

No eviction pledge

This weekend the SNP publicly pledged our support to those affected by the Bedroom Tax.  It is those people affected who are at the fore of all our minds and it’s incumbent on all Councillors who oppose these attacks on our communities to work together to reassure and protect. 

In North Ayrshire the SNP are an minority administration so the policy change will require support.  However in light of Labour Cllrs Cullinane and Montgomery moving a "No evictions" policy at the last full council this is likely.  

Any proposal requiring a change of policy does of course have to come in the form of a costed paper through the correct channels in the council which is why although broadly supported by the SNP group it had to be remitted back to Cabinet.  That said, with changes coming into effect on the 1st of April we felt urgent action was needed to reassure our tenants.

For help and support from North Ayrshire Council's expert Welfare Reform Advice Team telephone 0300 9994606 (calls charged at

local rates from mobiles and landlines) or email WelfareReformTeam@

north-ayrshire.gov.uk