The former leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Hugh Hunter has opened Ayrshire Housing’s latest development at Observer Court, Prestwick. It is a development of 10 flats and houses. Two of which have been especially adapted to suit tenants with particular requirements.
Councillor Hunter said “I’m delighted that Ayrshire Housing has been able to secure more much needed housing for rent through developing a successful partnership with the Kingcase Parish Church. We also see the benefits of the longstanding relationship between Ayrshire Housing and the Council which has ensured housing especially designed for people leaving residential care in the majority of its new housing developments”.
The arrangement with the Kingcase Parish Church released land for much needed affordable housing which in turn facilitated the enlargement of their church hall. The final stage of the partnership will see the completion of the church’s new car park over the next few weeks. Scottish Churches Housing Action has highlighted the project nationally as an example of what a church with surplus land or buildings can do by working in partnership with its local housing association. The project also complements the substantial investment of South Ayrshire Council in their adjacent flats.
The project cost £1.2 m and has been supported by generous grants from the Scottish Government and South Ayrshire Council.
The design is by award winning Ayr based ARPL architects. Sadly the original contractor – the long established Moulds of Kilmarnock – went out of business last summer. The project was then completed by Prestwick based Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd.