Four flats will be demolished to make way for a new £3.9m development at the old Whitletts Primary School.

Plans have been approved to build 27 new homes at the gap site on the outskirts of Ayr.

The development will be paid for by the Scottish Government's housing subsidy programme, South Ayrshire Council, and with income generated from Council Tax levied on second homes.

Residents at four flats on James Brown Avenue will be rehoused on a temporary basis before being given the chance to return when the development is completed in September 2019.

Councillor Philip Saxton said: "We're committed to building 600 new homes in the next five years and this exciting new development in Ayr marks the start of that process.

"By making more energy efficient homes available people are able to run their homes more cheaply, while we're also making smart use of a site that has been vacant for several years.

"I'd like to thank the affected tenants on James Brown Avenue for their patience during the planning stage and I would stress that we'll continue to work with them in the months ahead."

He added: "With more than 100 properties built in Lochside last year, we're working hard to meet local needs and I look forward to seeing construction get under way for a development that will remove a prominent gap site on one of the town's busiest roads."