The ground was officially broken at Fraser Walk last September, when representatives of the council and the local community council joined strategic partner CCG (Scotland) Ltd, the Glasgow-based contractor and manufacturer, to mark the start of the project that will see 56 homes available to rent.

With the first phase now complete 12 homes on Jubilee Gardens and Keith Place have welcomed new tenants.

Councillor Elena Whitham, cabinet member for housing and communities, said: “New Farm Loch is an area where there is high demand for affordable housing. The Fraser Walk site, which used to house council owned blocks of flats, will include 56 new build homes with associated landscaping and a communal area.

“The development, which was due to be completed this summer, has been delayed by the lockdown restrictions that were introduced by the Scottish Government back in March. I am delighted that CCG are back on site and were in a position to safely complete the first phase by the end of July.

“These new homes will help to regenerate the local community and will help to change lives. I am looking forward to visiting our tenants when it is safe to do so, but in the meantime I wish them every happiness in their beautiful new homes.”

Councillor Douglas Reid, leader of the council, said: “It is great news for the community of New Farm Loch that CCG has completed phase 1 and that our tenants have moved in and are already enjoying their new homes.

“I am also very pleased to announce that CCG completed phase 2 of this ambitious house building project earlier this week and that the homes have been officially handed over to the council. Our housing team will now organise for tenants to view the homes and we are hoping that the first tenants will be moving in shortly.

“Creating affordable homes, supporting the local building industry and creating jobs for local people; the housing building programme within East Ayrshire is changing both lives and the local townscape.”

The Fraser Walk site will deliver high quality, energy efficient homes in a range of sizes and types, and will include two specially designed homes for wheelchair users with integral carports.

Calum Murray, director of CCG, said: “The handover of these new homes at New Farm Loch couldn’t come at a better time with our site team performing a marvellous job since the recommencement of construction works.

“It’s also another major milestone in the partnership between CCG and East Ayrshire Council which is continuing to deliver much-needed affordable homes in Kilmarnock and across the local authority with a lasting legacy of jobs, apprenticeships and community investment.”

All the homes, which are being delivered through the Scottish Procurement Alliance, will meet Housing for Varying Needs and Secure by Design standards and Silver Standard accreditation.