THE destruction of the character of city neighbourhoods will be up for discussion at a gathering of residents' associations tomorrow night.

Southampton Itchen MP John Denham will be appearing at the annual meeting of the Southampton Federation of Residents' Associations.

He will be fielding questions about the rise in the numbers of flats and houses in multiple occupation which with the loss of family homes has caused alarm in many communities.

Figures from Southampton City Council planning department show that more than 80 per cent of applications in the past six years were for flats.

Mr Denham and Test MP Alan Whitehead want laws to protect family homes. The meeting is at the Central Baptist Church Devonshire Road from 6.30pm.