The survey will ask rural households to describe their current housing circumstances, any housing needs that they have and future housing aspirations.

The results will help the council plan for new housing and housing services across its rural communities.

The online survey is open to rural residents of all ages and living in all types of housing. Anyone living in a rural location in South Ayrshire can take part, but the Council is targeting the following areas:

• South Carrick including Ballantrae, Barr, Barrhill, Dailly, Lendalfoot, Pinmore and Pinwherry
• North Carrick including Crosshill, Dunure, Kirkmichael, Kirkoswald, Maidens, Minishant, Straiton and Turnberry
• Kyle including Coylton, Craigie Village, Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton
• Monkton, Symington and Dundonald
• Girvan
• Maybole

Market research company, Research Resource, will also be carrying out 400 telephone interviews with rural households in these areas.

The telephone interviews will start on 27 May 2024 and will run for six weeks. Households selected to participate in the telephone interviews, will receive a letter from the council in advance, so they can contact Research Resource to arrange a convenient time for the interview.

All survey responses will be for research purposes only and it won’t be possible to identify individual households from the responses. Research Resource are registered under the Data Protection Act and all responses will be completely confidential.

Councillor Martin Kilbride, buildings, housing and environment portfolio holder for South Ayrshire Council, said: “This is a very important opportunity for local residents in rural communities to have a voice in shaping future housing investment plans and strategies. We are keen to hear their views to ensure we can work with partners to deliver the right housing in the right locations.

Councillor Alec Clark, tourism, culture and rural affairs portfolio holder, added: “We want people living in rural locations to have quality, affordable and energy efficient housing. Understanding the housing needs of our rural communities is crucial to this ambition. I would encourage anyone living in a rural location to fill in the survey.”

The online survey can be found here.

Anyone wishing to participate in the survey who does not have access to the internet can contact Housing Policy and Strategy on 01292 612 968 and complete the survey over the telephone with a council employee.

The online survey will close on 7 July 2024.