'A slap in the face' - that's what a local developer claims young couples have been hit with after accusing housing officials of delaying plans for much needed starter flats in Largs by more than two years.

Back in March 2007, Lochview Developments Ltd of Fairlie obtained planning permission from North Ayrshire Council, allowing them to build 19 starter flats at 67-73 Nelson Street.

The move meant the demolition of several rundown properties and was hailed by Provost Bobby Rae as "absolutely great" for young people attempting to get on the property ladder.

However, the owner of Lochview Developments, Arthur Rodman, insisted that the project has been dramatically held up because prospective buyers Cunninghame Housing Association were left "embarrassed" by potential red tape surrounding the deal.

As a result, he believes that CHA have failed to "meet the need of the community" and left young couples with little hope of finding a home in the local area amidst the tough financial climate.

However, the Housing Association told the 'News' that the time had not been right, in the economic downturn, to proceed with new houses.

Mr Rodman said that he has had enough of Nelson Street residents' complaints over his firm's apparent lack of progress and he claims that it is CHA that have left the project in limbo.

He commented: "A process has been ongoing with Cunninghame Housing Association through their surveyors, Armour and Partners, to formalise purchase of the site by the Association.

"After a long series of expensive exercises in costings and planning reviews on both sides I still have no written confirmation as to why the process has failed.

"It is a very straightforward financial arrangement and I fail to see what 'embarrassment' would arise through this commonplace arrangement." Mr Rodman has been further incensed to learn that NAC's Housing Services had acknowledged "the very high level of affordable housing pressure in the North Coast" but were still claiming to be "severely constrained" by the lack of available land for development opportunities.

He stated: "How it can be that NAC is unaware of the site leaves me utterly bemused.It is also a slap in the face to those who are on waiting lists that a publicly funded body whose sole purpose is to provide affordable housing are unwilling to meet some of the need for affordable housing in Largs because they might be 'embarrassed'.

"I think we would all agree that being homeless lies several orders of magnitude above any 'embarrassment' the Association are faced with given that it is a straightforward commercial transaction." Chief Executive of Cunninghame Housing Association, Frank Sweeney said: "We have been involved with a number of developers and we have had dialogue with Lochview Developments with a view to moving forward.

"The Association has decided purely not to proceed due to the prevailing climate and the fact that there's a constraint on housing association grants.

"It's really down to the economic situation. In the case of this development, some are saying it's down to a defective title, but at no time have we said that the title indemnity has been an issue. That's basically it. It's a business decision.

"We're in a position where we're having to spend and commit rent payers' money. Risk management is now very high on the agenda for everyone."