A prominent gap site on the outskirts of Ayr is to be transformed with a new development of affordable homes.

South Ayrshire Council has approved plans to build 27 properties on the site of the former Whitletts Primary.

The £3.9 million plans will see a mix of 27 homes built, including 1-5 bedroom properties ranging from cottage flats through to townhouses facing onto Main Road. The development will be paid for by the Scottish Government’s Housing Subsidy programme, South Ayrshire Council, and with income generated from Council Tax levied on second homes.

To allow the project to proceed a block of four council flats on James Brown Avenue will be demolished to allow for access to the site without impacting on Main Road during construction. The three affected tenants will be rehoused on a temporary basis, and given the opportunity to return to the new development once it has been completed.

Councillor Philip Saxton, South Ayrshire Council’s portfolio holder for housing and customer services, said the new development would be a welcome addition: “We’re committed to building 600 new homes in the next five years, and this exciting new development in Ayr marks the start of that process.

“By making more energy efficient homes available people are able to run their homes more cheaply, while we’re also making smart use of a site that has been vacant for several years.

“I’d like to thank the affected tenants on James Brown Avenue for their patience during the planning stage, and I would stress that we’ll continue to work with them in the months ahead.

“With more than 100 properties built in Lochside last year, we’re working hard to meet local needs and I look forward to seeing construction get underway for a development that will remove a prominent gap site on one of the town’s busiest roads.”

The council has pledged to work closely with the community during the construction phase to help minimise any disruption.

The project is scheduled to be complete by September 2019.

Residents looking to find out more about the project can visit an open day on Wednesday 30 August between 2 and 7pm at the Domain Youth Centre, Glenmuir Place, Ayr, KA8 9RP.