PLANS to create an eco-village on a vacant site in Kilwinning are set to be explored by North Ayrshire Council.

At a meeting of Cabinet this week [Tuesday], councillors are expected to approve plans to undertake a feasibility study on the potential of the ‘village’ at the Blair Road site.

This has been vacant since 2019 when the Hazeldene Centre and operations moved to the Health and Social Care Partnership’s new Trindlemoss facility in Irvine.

Council officers have undertaken an options appraisal, with the preferred option being the creation of an Eco Village, through a partnership arrangement with a private sector contractor.

If the project is shown to be viable, it would see the construction of a small number of eco-friendly houses incorporating the latest low energy and sustainability technology with the aim of setting the highest standard for attractive and modern net-zero carbon houses for the future. Any proposals coming forward would require a planning application.

After the study officers will report back findings to the Council’s Cabinet.

Councillor Scott Davidson, Cabinet Member for Place, said: “We look forward to seeing whether an eco-village is viable and something that we can move forward with.”