Councillor Nan McFarlane, Chair of South Ayrshire Council’s Regulatory Panel was delighted on Friday 30 November 2007 to present Mr George and Mrs Georgina Watson with the keys to their new home in Knockbreck Road, Straiton.
The 12 house project cost over £1m was supported by a generous grant from the Scottish Government through Communities Scotland. It was designed by ARP Lorimer and Associates and built by Moulds of Kilmarnock. Since there is no mains sewerage in the village, Ayrshire Housing worked closely with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) in the provision of a reedbed to handle septic tank discharges.
The project reintroduces affordable rented housing to this conservation village, all the Council houses having been sold under the right to buy. Since they may be the only ones built, Ayrshire Housing has taken great care to ensure that they are as flexible as possible. For example, all have at least one downstairs bedroom and the bathroom is also at ground level.
The majority of the new tenants either live in around Straiton at the moment or are renewing a connection with the village.