Caley Gardens - located on the site of the former Caley Court sheltered housing complex in Stevenston - consists of 12 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom homes, with a further unit utilised as a staff base.

The £3 million development, which was supported by £1m Scottish Government grant funding, is the latest supported living accommodation to be completed by North Ayrshire Council and North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership to provide homes for people with additional support needs.

A number of similar supported living developments have already been opened by North Ayrshire Council throughout North Ayrshire.

Each home is equipped so that assistive technology can be installed to suit the needs of each individual resident, helping to provide support in a way that promotes independence as well as reducing risk.

In addition, 24-hour responsive support is being provided by third sector partner Key, who have been providing personalised support in the area for almost 30 years.

Residents began to move in during spring and Caley Gardens was officially opened by the Provost.

Provost Dickson said: “I’m delighted to see this wonderful example of how homes can change people’s lives for the better.

“We are very proud to have delivered these modern, energy efficient homes which provide round-the-clock supported accommodation to our residents, who have already settled in well to their new surroundings.”

Councillor Tony Gurney, cabinet member for green environment and economy, said: “This 16-unit supported accommodation project provides assistive technology which can be adapted to suit the needs of each individual resident.

“The difference it makes to residents’ lives is immeasurable – they can live as independently as possible, with the assurance of having assistance on hand when required.

“The homes we are building are having a really positive effect in communities across North Ayrshire as we continue to deliver on our commitment to build 1,625 homes by 2028.”

In addition, the homes at Caley Gardens have been specially designed to help meet the challenges of climate change, and feature a range of sustainable features at the site, including solar PV panels, a low emissions communal heating system and high levels of insulation and double glazing to minimise heat loss. The new development has achieved the Scottish Government’s ‘Greener Standard’ and Police Scotland’s Secure by Design gold accreditation.

Michael Scanlan, director at Clark Contracts, added: “It has been great to continue our relationship with North Ayrshire Council to deliver this project, which will allow the Health and Social Care Partnership to provide vital supported accommodation to residents, enabling people to live as independently as possible in their own homes. We hope all the residents are enjoying their new homes.”

Allison Wright, who oversees Key’s supports across Ayrshire, commented: “It has been a privilege for Key to play our part in this - working with individuals, families and HSCP colleagues in planning the transition to a new home while getting to know people and finding out how we can support them to live the life they choose.”