TEMPERS flared at a packed out public meeting last night as residents had their say on plans to transform their Southampton community.

Around 150 people crammed into the All Saints Church in Millbrook to discuss the plans to regenerate large parts of Millbrook, Redbridge and Maybush over the next decade.

The consultation was so well attended that the meeting started late as more chairs had to be found to fit everyone in, with an extra 90 minutes added to its length so views could be voiced.

It was agreed that the meeting would run an hour and a half longer after residents demanded they were given time to voice their concerns.

Southampton City Council is developing a blueprint to create up to 500 new homes, shops and public spaces as part of a major multi-million pound project, but residents have many concerns, including loss of green spaces and what would happen to shops which will be demolished.

Daily Echo:

But residents raised concerns over loss of green spaces, parking issues, pressure on schools and doctors and what would happen to some of the shops that would have to be demolished.

Councillor Catherine McEwing struggled to maintain order during the meeting as passionate residents often shouted across speakers in a bid to be heard or to ask someone to speak up.

Developers said that although the plans would eat into some of the current green spaces, they were planning on redeveloping the areas to improve their quality and plant two trees for every one removed.

They also said new shops would be built before the old ones were destroyed and would be discussing the viability of the shops with their owners.

But resident Paul Watts said: “You are talking about taking away spaces from our parks which have been there since 1950 when this estate was built.

“The green spaces were given to us and it is the minimum amount of green grass needed for the children to play on.

“Our kids are getting fat and lazy and you are taking away our parks.

“Those green spaces don’t belong to you or Southampton City Council, they belong to the people of Southampton and the people of Millbrook.”

Daily Echo:

Issues over parking were also raised as residents said shouted their concerns at the councillors that with the arrival of new people, they would not be able to park, and more pressure would be out on services such as schools.

When asked if the residents wanted more council houses or parking spaces, several residents shouted “parking” although concerns were raised that people living in the area could not find suitable council housing.

There was also resistance from neighbours to introducing parking permits.

The next public meeting about the scheme will be held in July.