Hargreaves Land has exchanged missives for the sale of an 8.5-acre (3.43 hectare) residential development site in Kilmarnock.

The deal with Clydebuilt II Limited Partnership, a joint venture between Strathclyde Pension Fund and Ediston Homes, is expected to conclude by May 2027, with construction likely to commence shortly afterwards.

The site at Hillcrest on Glasgow Road, which was marketed by JLL on behalf of Hargreaves Land, is expected to deliver 79 new homes, comprising 69 private units and 10 affordable homes.

Hargreaves Land took the site under option in 2022, identifying its potential as a residential development opportunity within the emerging East Ayrshire Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2).

The firm successfully secured a residential land allocation and submitted a Planning Permission in Principle (PPiP) application in March 2023. Following a ‘minded to grant’ consent at planning committee in January 2025, full planning permission was granted in March 2026.

The Hillcrest site occupies an attractive position on the northern boundary of Kilmarnock, adjacent to the highly sought-after Southcraigs Estate. The site is bound to the north by Barratt Homes’ Westlin Walk development, with the Fenwick Water and woodland forming the eastern boundary, Glasgow Road to the west, and Borland Road and Dean Castle Country Park to the south.

Ross MacDonald, senior development surveyor at Hargreaves Land, said: “Kilmarnock has attracted strong interest from national housebuilders in recent years, with Barratt, Bellway and Persimmon all active in the area.

“We are very pleased to secure the sale of this site which benefits from excellent connectivity, including easy access to the A77 and the wider Central Belt motorway network.”

Neal Jamieson, managing director of Ediston Homes, added: ‘We are delighted to complete the first site acquisition for new build homes for sale for Clydebuilt II Limited Partnership, our joint venture with Strathclyde Pension Fund.

“Drawing on our in-house expertise, we are looking forward to delivering much needed homes for East Ayrshire, and to working closely with Hargreaves Land on future opportunities.’