The development, which was built by the Council’s strategic developer partner CCG (Scotland) Ltd for the East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, includes eight one-bedroom flats, including a care provider’s base and a private garden for residents.

Councillor McMahon, the council’s Spokesperson for Housing, Welfare and Poverty, Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Addiction and Recovery was joined at the official opening by Leader of the Council, Councillor Douglas Reid and local members Councillors Linda Holland, Claire Leitch, William Lennox and Alyson Simmons.

He said: “It was a real honour to be asked to officially open Quarry Knowe Court and to celebrate this fantastic assisted living development with the residents, colleagues and partners who have all worked in partnership to deliver this facility.

“The concept for this development was informed by collaborative working between the Council’s Housing Service and East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership and is based on our award winning developments in Kilmarnock and Hurlford. Our aim was to enable residents to live independently and safely in the local community, with support from health and social care services, in an environment that promotes social interaction and I can categorically say that this aim has been achieved.

“A key part of our housing building programme is engagement, engaging with local communities and working closely with the East Ayrshire Federation of Tenants and Residents. Together we are changing lives and future proofing our communities, not just our building, by ensuring that local needs are met. I am very proud of what we have achieved to date and of our aspirations for our communities.”

CCG director Calum Murray added: “Working in partnership, East Ayrshire Council and CCG has helped transform communities across the region thanks to a strategic programme of housing-led regeneration but none will be quite as transformative as Quarry Knowe Court.

“A small but wonderful development, the Council are to be commended for their efforts in providing a housing solution that fully addresses the very specific needs of the new residents and giving them the means to experience independent living. We were delighted to be involved alongside our design partner MAST Architects and hope each new resident settles in over the coming weeks.”

The project was developed with £632,000 of grant funding from the Scottish Government and contributes to their target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.