John Galt Housing Development in Irvine Officially Opens

North Ayrshire Council’s largest ever affordable housing development, designed by Austin-Smith:Lord, has been officially opened by the Provost of North Ayrshire Joan Sturgeon.

The housing has been developed in Vineburgh, Irvine, on the site of former John Galt primary school, delivering 80 new homes including general needs, amenity standard, and properties suitable for wheelchair users. The project was commissioned via the OGC Framework and Project Managers Faithful + Gould and was delivered in conjunction with Will Rudd Davidson, NBM, Cruden and Armour Construction Consultants.

The designs include a series of homezones that link into the existing path network within the neighbourhood, maximising site permeability. The designs were developed on the basis of a visual brief that won a Scottish Award for Quality in Planning.

Local residents were invited to participate in a number of public consultations at key stages, with feedback received informing the final design. The enhanced specification supports independent living, reduces energy bills, and has achieved BREEAM’s ‘EcoHomes – Very Good’ accreditation for sustainable buildings.

“This is first time we have worked with Austin-Smith:Lord on a new build project. At John Galt, they have created a site specific design that successfully incorporated all of our aspirations for the development. This is reflected by the positive feedback we have received from the new tenants”. (Trudi Fitzsimmons, Principal Officer, Strategy – North Ayrshire Council)

Image Credit: John Keachie Photography