Progress is being made on East Ayrshire Council’s first-ever net-zero housing development.
Work is continuing at Bellevue Gardens in the Bonnyton area of Kilmarnock on the 18-property scheme.
The homes – which are being built by the council’s developer CCG (Scotland) Ltd – include eight two-bed cottage flats, six two-bed homes, one three-bed wheelchair accessible bungalow, two three-bed homes and one four-bed home and have been designed for general and community care needs.
Council leader Douglas Reid was among those who recently visited the site for an update on the multi-million pound project.
Councillor Jim McMahon, cabinet spokesperson for housing, said: “I was very pleased to visit the site in Bonnyton, view the progress and hear more about our first net-zero project.
“Net Zero means that carbon emissions associated with regulated operational energy will be equal to zero. As part of our Climate Change strategy, the council has committed to move away from installing gas-heating systems and this project will be the first build to have air source heat pumps installed.
“All the homes will have solar panels installed on their roofs and will be insulated to the highest standard.
“These homes are going to be life-changing for local residents. They will help to tackle fuel poverty through their clever design and provide freedom for those with community care needs.”
CCG managing director David Wylie said: “Since 2017, CCG and East Ayrshire Council have successfully delivered over 200 affordable homes across the region.
“Working collaboratively with our partners, we developed the ‘East Ayrshire’ design standard creating homes that focus on quality, energy performance, and the needs of the tenant at every opportunity, and now, with the commencement of construction at Bellevue Gardens, we have reached an important milestone in the evolution of house building within the local authority area.
“Scotland’s net-zero future is coming and it is a testament to the council that they are taking the necessary steps forward now. We will proudly deliver East Ayrshire’s first-ever zero homes in the heart of Kilmarnock.”
The scheme is being developed with £1.288 million of grant funding from the Scottish Government and will contribute to its target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.
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