NORTH Ayrshire Council says it will have to assess the impact of a fire on the planned site of its largest single new build housing development.

Construction on the project, which would deliver 202 homes at the former maternity ward at Ayrshire Central Hospital, is set to begin later this year.

The £50million contract to carry out the work was handed out to Ashleigh Construction (Scotland) Limited just last month.

The project will see a development created which will include 184 new energy-efficient homes for social rent.

Plans - which were approved earlier this year - state a further 16 homes will be built on the land, and the gate houses on site will also be refurbished to provide two further properties.

However, the project could face a setback following a fire at a disused building in Irvine.

(Image: Staff)

With the blaze now extinguished, it has been confirmed that the building in question was one of the vacant gate houses which was earmarked for development.

Emergency crews were called to the scene, on Kilwinning Road, at around 8.30pm on Monday, October 7.

(Image: Staff)

The road around the blaze was closed for several hours before the fire was extinguished, and it was re-opened in the early hours of the following morning.

Police remained on-watch at the scene at this time, with the damage to the building clearly visible.

(Image: Staff)

North Ayrshire Council are now waiting further information as the damage is assessed to see what impacts, if any, the fire will have on the development.

Further details are expected over the coming days.

While NHS Ayrshire and Arran have confirmed there has been little to no impact on the hospital itself.

Nicola Graham, director of infrastructure and support services, said: "NHS Ayrshire and Arran is aware that Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were in attendance at a fire on land adjacent to the Ayrshire Central Hospital site in Irvine, North Ayrshire on the evening of Monday October 7.

"We can confirm there was no impact to services at Ayrshire Central Hospital other than short delays to those arriving by road, as one access has been restricted during this time."