LIVING IN

Apart from the

amenities that

Kilmarnock has to offer, Stewart Fraser finds a vast range of house styles in

rural-like locations

ANYONE looking to take up residence in an area wants to know about its facilities, its history, and how it copes with modern technology. Kilmarnock must score pretty high, for you will find not only library, museum and art gallery at the Dick Institute. There's also guided access through the Internet, if that's more your scene.

The town recovered well from a period of industrial decline, and has variety in plenty: good shopping in its award-winning town centre, with public artworks and a pedestrian precinct. And no-one could cavil at the range, from independent traders to out-of-town developments.

Banks over here, betting shops over there. Goldsmiths and charity shops. Locksmiths and lingerie. Supermarkets and boutiques. There is even reasonable parking space, beside the bus station and major retailers.

Schools, shops, and local churches are all part of the requirements for deciding where to stay: Kilmarnock gets a good mark. Provision includes nine nursery schools, 13 primaries, four secondaries and a further

education college.

It also has access to more leisurely pursuits, with a recent state of the art multiscreen cinema complex. And just ask locals about football prowess in the Scottish Cup.

In the East Ayrshire area generally, there are three golf courses, two country parks, nine sports centres, three public parks, two tennis courts, a bowling green, a theatre, a history centre, a heritage centre, and a castle.

A good place, then, to live and work. House builders would unhesitatingly agree with that view. Barratt opened two new showhomes at its Holmes Park development, and reports many homes already sold.

There is a choice of six styles, and prices from #83,250 to #114,995. The Ripon, for example, is doing well with its entrance hall, lounge/dining room, breakfast kitchen, utility room and toilet. Upstairs are three double bedrooms - master en suite - a single bedroom and bathroom.

For Bryant, the place to develop was at Southcraigs Meadow. Having a spacious family home, in easy commuting distance of Glasgow and close to schools and Kilmarnock town centre was a major requirement.

The total complement is to be 111 three and four-bedroom detached homes, in a mix of seven house designs. Prices start at #80,000 for the Rydal, and four-bedroom homes are priced from #93,000. There are three show homes on the site for visitors to enjoy.

McLean Homes has found The Steadings popular with buyers. Four-bedroom detached villas are around the #86,000 mark, and another phase of new-build is opening.

Ogilvie Homes decided on a site close to Dean Castle Country Park, and this is where you find Kennedy Gardens. With space for 51 properties, and including a play area, there is ample scope for a range of seven house styles.

The price range is also interesting: from #46,500 for a Dunbar two-bedroom cottage flat and extending to #84,500 for a Fenwick four-bedroom detached villa with en suite, utility room and garage.

Wimpey Homes chose Cragside View on the northern edge of town, with a choice of two and three-bedroom semis and three and four-bedroom detached homes.

Prices start at #52,995 for a Lara, and go to #97,500 for a Jubilee with its large living room and wide bay window. Popular three-bedroom styles include Practica, Ultima and Riva homes with a price range that goes from #63,995 to #67,995 and on to #75,995.

Tranquil surroundings and an easy drive to work are seen as important factors for house buyers. Popularity, of course, can have its drawbacks in a way. Taywood Homes found Rowallan Gardens an excellent development, so much so there is now only one property left. This is a four-bedroom detached house and the price is set at an incentive figure of #99,500.

For choice pre-owned properties, obvious places to start would include Allen & Harris, Countrywide, the local Goodfellow agency, and Slater Hogg & Howison.

In the popular #70,000-75,000 range, buyers could have a modern five-apartment semi including gas central heating, full double glazing and an alarm system, plus fitted carpets, lights, integrated hob, oven and hood. Fixed price - #71,950.

Alternatively, a modern five/six-apartment detached chalet bungalow comes at offers over #73,500. It includes a recently installed breakfasting kitchen, and 17ft by 8ft conservatory, all in a secluded plot fairly close to the town centre.

Going to the next range brings an executive-style family villa with 30ft by 10ft lounge/dining room, breakfasting kitchen, and three bedrooms - master with en suite shower room. Again, a fixed price - #82,750.

It's offers over #95,000 for a detached corner site villa which has four bedrooms to offer, 17ft by 14ft dining kitchen, and a paved drive to the garage.

Kilmarnock is a popular place and has lots of six-figure houses. A new-build luxury property including bay windowed lounge with marble fireplace, dining room with french doors, four bedrooms and integral garage comes at a fixed price of #103,000.

Another, with a fixed price of #105,000 offers a large lounge to the front, dining room with patio doors to the rear, four bedrooms and a study, and double garage with light and power provided.

To set the seal on the housing scene, you could contemplate an individually built detached bungalow set in the walled garden of a country estate, just to the east of town.

You get 1.5 acres of landscaped grounds with waterfall and fishpond, encompassing a two-room studio, garage workshop, and greenhouse. And you get four bedrooms - the split-level master is 34ft by 17ft with both en suite and separate dressing room.

You are requested to make an offer over #199,999.