SCORES of residents got a glimpse of the latest multi-millionpound proposals that could breathe new life into a Southampton housing estate.

Parking was the major concern for residents who gathered at Cutbush Children’s Centre to see £100m plans that could see green areas, modern housing and adventure playgrounds become a reality in Townhill Park.

Geoff Davis from the Townhill Park Community Association believes that the plans themselves are “brilliant” but expressed his fears that parking issues in the area need to be addressed.

He said: “The biggest problem is parking, but there are things you can do which have been successful in places such as Harefield.

“This estate like all estates will be good, providing the council keeps it up to date maintenance wise and looks after the area.

“From what I can see the new blocks look alright but we do not know until we actually see them built.

“The council have spent a lot of time and money to get this scheme up together and it is good they are trying to listen to the residents.”

Conservative opposition leader Royston Smith was one of those who gathered to take a look at the plans.

He said the regeneration plans, which were first given the green light by the council when it was under Conservative control in 2012, will help the area but shared residents’ fears over parking.

He added: “This particular development has changed a bit from ours, but it is still a positive improvement for Townhill Park.

“People who are concerned with parking have very valid concerns; parking is always going to be an issue. There are more cars than we have got areas to park them, and I would like to see far better utilisation of the current parking areas.”

As previously reported, the original blueprint contained plans to demolish 428 ageing homes to make way for 675 new flats and houses, more than half of which would be “affordable”.

Further new properties were also earmarked for development on Frogs Copse to create a “central park”, while a new parade of shops, a pub or cafe and a village green were also included in the proposals.

Those plans were re-examined by Southampton’s Labour administration following their election victory in May 2012, but the city’s housing supremo, Cllr Warwick Payne, pledged to “follow through” with the regeneration.

However the chairman of the council’s scrutiny committee, Cllr Jeremy Moulton, called in the decision after it was revealed that rents on 450 new council properties would almost double, sparking anger among residents. But following a fresh consultation, the wheels are now back in motion with the first phase of building work due to get under way by 2016.