CONSTRUCTION is under way on 31 new solar-powered council houses at Seamill.

The £3.43million development in Ardrossan Road is one of an ongoing series of new projects and includes 11 cottage flats, 19 two-bedroom general needs homes and one fully wheelchair accessible property.

Built using innovative off-site construction methods, the homes will be allocated to applicants from the housing register and are expected to be complete by winter 2019.

Yvonne Baulk, head of physical environment at North Ayrshire Council, said: “This development forms part of one of the most ambitious council house building programmes under way in Scotland.

“These sustainable, high quality homes will provide accommodation in areas where people need new housing.

“We are committed to providing high quality and energy efficient homes that people can afford to rent. These new homes will incorporate solar panels to generate renewable electricity for tenants.”

The development forms part of the council's five-year strategy to deliver high quality, accessible homes in neighbourhoods where people want to live.

North Ayrshire Council has committed to building 1,375 new properties by March 2024.