The total project costs for the Montgomerie Street development, including private finance was, £7,725,987, with £4,519,000 awarded in grant from the Scottish Government.

The main contractor for the work was Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd, while MAST Architects, quantity surveyor TCS Construction Consultants and structural engineer Scott Bennett Associates made up the project design team.

Minister for local government and housing Kevin Stewart MSP, who carried out the official sod cutting ceremony in August 2016, revisited the site last week to carry out the official closing ceremony for the project now named Sweeney Court/ Sweeney Street after Cunninghame Housing Association’s chief executive, Frank Sweeney.

Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “I am delighted to see the completion of the Sweeney Court development, which will bring great benefits to the area. It will not only provide a mix of high quality, affordable homes, including those for social rent and also wheelchair users, but also breathe new life into the community.

“Supported through our Affordable Housing Supply Programme, it is a great example of how we are helping provide the right homes, in the right places, and which fit the needs of communities – a core part of our drive to create a fairer and more prosperous country.

“We are committed to delivering at least 50,000 affordable homes over this Parliament, with at least 35,000 of those for social rent - backed by £3 billion of investment. As the Sweeney Court development shows, working together with housing associations and others, I know that target can be achieved.”

Councillor Joe Cullinane, leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “I am delighted to see the completion of Sweeney Court development and the creation of a further 70 new affordable homes, some of which have been specifically designed to accommodate wheelchair users. Working together with partners such as Cunninghame Housing Association, we are continuing to increase the work on our council housing building programme delivering new homes for the people of North Ayrshire.”

Frank Sweeney, chief executive of Cunninghame Housing Association, added: “This project is one of the most high profile new build developments delivered by the Association locally. I am absolutely delighted that it has been named after myself by The North Ayrshire Locality Partnership who consider street name proposals such as this, the recommendation for which came from the Association’s Board of Management.”

The project is part of a three site development which has provided 19 Apprenticeships by Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd and its sub-contractors as part of the Association’s community benefits contract requirements.