Councillors were on site at the Lochside housing development to get an update on the project. Work is on schedule and has been progressing at a steady pace to ensure that some of the houses are finished this October. Houses will then be finished in phases until the project is complete in May 2016.

Elected members and South Ayrshire Council officials were shown round some of the 58 houses which are nearing completion and were updated on the phases of work that have still to take place as part of this landmark development. Each of the houses are modern, bright and energy efficient and when complete will be set in carefully landscaped areas.

This is not the only success story coming from the development. Mark McGhee, one of the council apprentices working on the Lochside project, has just been named Apprentice of the Year by South Lanarkshire College for advanced bricklaying.

Mark is in the final year of his council apprenticeship and is due to take his bricklaying trade test around Christmas time. The work at Lochside has seen Mark working on foundations and finishing brickwork.

He said: “Working with South Ayrshire Council has been a good opportunity for me and working on this housing project has helped me learn my trade. I am hoping to work for the Council and would like to become a housing inspector in the future.”

Councillor Philip Saxton, housing and customer first portfolio holder for South Ayrshire Council said: “This development is set to make a hugely positive impact on Lochside and the people that live there. The community has been instrumental in driving this project and I know that council tenants can’t wait to move in.

“Having been round the development on several occasions I am really impressed with the work undertaken by Cruden and the apprentices have certainly played their part. I would like to congratulate Mark on his award and I am sure that he and the other apprentices benefit from working on this prestigious project.”

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