CONSTRUCTION work has resumed on the Flatt Road housing development in Largs.

The £19.5m project ground to a halt in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But despite the delay it is hoped that the sheltered housing will be open and ready for use by residents before the end of the year.

The overall development on the site of the old Largs Academy will create 122 new homes – and has been hailed as one of their most ambitious ever in the area.

The site will cater for everyone and includes 54 general needs homes, 22 supported accommodation units, 18 amenity bungalows and a 28-unit sheltered housing complex.

The sheltered housing complex – which will incorporate a community hub – will make the most of modern technology. Along with an integrated home communications hub which includes safety monitors and sensors, these properties will also be fitted with lighting and heating systems which can be voice controlled.

Labour Cllr Alex Gallagher said: "It is good to see that work has started again on the council house building site in Flatt Road. We are now playing catch up but we are hopeful that we will still be able to move people into the new sheltered housing units by the end of the year.

"I am aware of quite a lot of people living in sub standard accommodation and I would urge them to apply and get on the list so they are ready to move when these houses become available.

"It is a good number of new properties which will be sufficient to meet the need in Largs - and there will be another 50 houses at the former St Mary's Primary with a budget-linked ownership scheme, alongside plots at the former Brisbane Primary too.

"This will all go a long way to meeting the social housing needs of the town and I am proud that North Ayrshire Council is leading this way in this ambitious project."