This milestone took form as the initial tenants began moving into the new scheme of 50 modern, energy-efficient homes constructed on the site of Kilbirnie’s former Garnock Academy. 

The new site located in Kilbirnie has a combination of general housing, amenity bungalows and homes made for wheelchair users. 

Councillor Tony Gurney, leader of North Ayrshire Council: “Reaching our 1,000th new council house is a truly fantastic success story for North Ayrshire.

“We have a bold vision to tackle the housing shortage and build modern, warm, and affordable homes that our communities can be proud of. Seeing this vision become a reality on the historic Garnock Academy site is incredibly rewarding.”

Gurney added: “These houses are designed to be energy efficient and adaptable to our tenants’ needs, ensuring we are supporting local people for decades to come. I hope that Mandy enjoys many happy years in her new home.”

Mandy, who has taken the keys to her new property, said: “It’s amazing and I’m not just saying that - it is actually unbelievable. I’ve seen in the past what people would deem as accessible and things like that, but this house is the most accessible property I’ve been in that I’ll be able to call a home.”

Gurney also said that North Ayrshire Council’s housebuilding programme will continue to move forward, with hundreds of additional new homes currently being built or in the planning phase. 

Gurney continued: “Our Strategic Housing Investment Plan sets out our commitment to deliver 1,666 homes in every part of North Ayrshire, both on the mainland and islands.”

The School Road project in Kilbirnie was carried out in partnership with building contractor Ashleigh (Scotland) Limited. The project was supported by £5 million in funding from the Scottish Government.