The existing sheltered housing will be demolished and replaced by a state-of-the-art complex consisting of 29 one and two-bedroom flats for older people.

The £5 million development is being delivered by hub South West and Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd for North Ayrshire Council and is supported by a Scottish Government grant of £1.7m.

Demolition work is scheduled to get underway at the site in May 2021. Construction work is expected to take about a year, with the new complex expected to be ready in autumn 2022.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, cabinet member for Green New Deal & sustainability, said: “We have made a commitment to deliver 1,575 new homes for our residents.

“We know there is increasing demand for homes designed to specifically meet the needs of our older residents. The St Colm’s project is part of our plans to redevelop some of our existing sheltered housing units and ensure they provide really high-quality living standards, alongside communal facilities to support our tenants’ wellbeing.”

Neighbouring residents should be aware that the footpath and lay-by on School Street will be closed for the duration of the works, and access along Boyd Street to Farmfoods will be maintained.

The St Colm’s Place development will be complemented by the redevelopment of the neighbouring former Largs Police Station site.

Plans are being developed to build 12 new amenity flats for social rent on the site, with construction scheduled to start in winter 2021/22 on the £2.17m project, which is supported by a Scottish Government grant of £0.708m.

It is expected that the final plans for the former police station site will be presented for consultation during late spring / early summer.