More than 100 houses are to be built as part of the latest development at Montgomerie Park in Irvine.
Bellway Homes Limited will construct 146 new homes after purchasing land from North Ayrshire Council.
Council leader Joe Cullinane said the sale was a step towards realising a 30-year-long vision for the area.
It comes after North Ayrshire became the first council in Scotland to adopt a new Simplified Planning Zone (SPZ) for residential development to stimulate development on a prime housing site.
As part of the Scottish Government pilot, SPZs allow developers to deliver a major housing project by providing planning consent upfront.
The SPZ provides a development framework with conditions that must be met. If developers comply with the parameters and conditions of the SPZ Scheme they do not need to apply for planning permission.
This approach aimed to spark development at the site after slow delivery and sales rates in recent years post-recession.
Mr Cullinane said: “We are delighted that the sale of the land has concluded and development is now ready to happen on this site.
“The site forms part of the Montgomerie Park masterplan. It has been on the development plan for residential development for around 30 years, with approximately half of 1,000 new homes built to date.
“To encourage development, we had to look at trying something different and the SPZ provides a framework for delivery that allows developers flexibility and certainty whilst, through conditions, safeguards residential amenity."
The property marketing for the land covered by the SPZ commenced in January 2020.
It was advertised via the council’s website and following the marketing process, a preferred bidder was identified. Cabinet approval for the plans was given in November last year.
Council chiefs say the capital receipt from the sale will be used to support the North Ayrshire Council Capital Investment Programme, including a new Primary School and Early Years Centre at Montgomerie Park, as approved on March 4, 2021.
Further information on the Montgomerie Park SPZ is available here.
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