The plans would see 12 newly-completed flats bought by the local authority and made available for rent, with half the properties providing easy access for people with mobility issues.

The council is also set to deliver warm, well maintained and energy efficient affordable homes for travellers at a Girvan site.

South Ayrshire Council has ambitious targets to deliver 1,000 new affordable homes by 2022/23, with the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) setting out a broad-range of activity including public and private sector partnership projects.

Following an independent evaluation, a fund of £1.1 million has been agreed to buy 12 new flats in Girvan following an approach from local developer, Craig Hunter. The development, on Girvan’s North Park Avenue, includes eight, two-bedroom flats, and four, one-bedroom flats. Six of the flats are on the ground floor, meeting requirements for people with mobility issues who need level access.

The acquisition would be funded by Scottish Government subsidies (£684,000), Council Tax from second homes (£416,000) and South Ayrshire Council (legal costs of £2,500), with no additional borrowing required.

Councillor Philip Saxton, South Ayrshire Council’s portfolio holder for community wellbeing, said the development would be good for Girvan: “We’re committed to increasing the number of affordable and warm homes for those on limited incomes and helping reduce poverty and disadvantage across South Ayrshire.

“This positive development will provide a real boost for the people of Girvan, delivering a number of modern, energy efficient homes. With half the properties being on the ground level, we’re helping to increase the availability of flats for people who need easy access to their homes, which will make life much easier for them.

“This project plays an important role in our wider goals of creating 1,000 new affordable properties in the next five years and we’ll continue to work with our partners to build on our momentum and deliver for local communities.”

Meanwhile a new travelling persons site will be built at Low Troweir Road. Work is expected to start in January 2019 with six, three bedroom units and one, six bedroom unit to meet the needs of the families.

The travellers who currently occupy another part of the Troweir Road site have been there since their homes were flooded in late 2015.

The families are very much part of the local community so it made sense to build the new units at Low Troweir Road which provides good access to schools, public transport, health and other services.

Councillor Philip Saxton added: “I’m glad that work is set to start in January to give the residents their new homes. I would like to thank the residents and the wider community for their patience for what has been a long process.

“The new accommodation will provide the families with adaptable homes which are light, spacious, energy efficient and affordable.

“We will continue to work with the travellers throughout to ensure their needs are met and their integration with the local community continues.”