The site, which was previously occupied by Patna Resource Centre, will deliver high quality, energy efficient homes in a range of sizes and types, and will include two specially designed homes for wheelchair users with integral carports.

Leader of the council, Councillor Douglas Reid, was joined at the official ground breaking by Councillor Elena Whitham, cabinet member for housing and communities, local member Councillor Drew Filson and representatives from East Ayrshire Tenants and Residents Federation.

Councillor Reid said: “Throughout East Ayrshire new homes are being built within our towns and villages, transforming the lives of our tenants and regenerating areas which have lain empty for many years.

“Creating affordable homes, supporting the local building industry and creating jobs for local people; the housing building programme within East Ayrshire is changing both lives and the local townscape. I was delighted to perform the official sod cut.”

Calum Murray, director of CCG, said: “The strategic partnership between ourselves and East Ayrshire Council really does take us across the region and with Carnshalloch Avenue; we have a very unique proposition for the future residents with a very Scottish and very pretty backdrop.

“The development itself will bring much-needed affordable homes to Patna and the collaboration between CCG and the authority has ensured that the housing solution will fully meet the needs of the future residents. CCG will construct the homes using off-site methods which will ensure quality, improved environmental performance and a faster speed of delivery with full completion expected in Autumn 2019.”

All the homes, which are being delivered through the Scottish Procurement Alliance, will meet Housing for Varying Needs and Secure by Design standards and Silver Standard accreditation.