DETAILED plans for a major housing scheme in Southampton have been unveiled.

The 665 homes set to be built at Townhill Park as part of a multi-million pound regeneration project could be completed by 2027 with work expected to start this year.

The news comes as last year Townhill Park residents urged city bosses to come up with a clear timescale for the scheme which was initially unveiled in 2012 and delayed due to the “complexity” of the site.

Residents had previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they wanted a definite plan as the future of some of them had been hanging in the balance for months.

Now the city council has unveiled its proposals to the group of local residents SO18 Big Local.

The authority said it is envisaging that 100% of the new Townhill Park homes will be affordable and is aiming to complete the project in 2027.

It added: "However this is dependent on a number of factors, including future consultations with residents. Work is expected to start on Plot 2 this year. We are developing the designs and will be inviting the community to have input in the coming months."

A strategy to engage with residents is also being developed in collaboration with SO18 Big Local, the council said.

In a joint statement the authority and SO18 Big Local said: “We are pleased an update for the Townhill Park regeneration programme has been shared with SO18 Big Local and representatives of the local community, which includes the wider context, processes and timescales. This is an exciting programme that will deliver much-needed affordable, quality council homes in the area. We will continue to work together, with the community playing an active role, to bring these plans to fruition and ensure they are delivered.”

As previously reported, 56 new homes have already been delivered.

The city council said the programme include a mix of tenure types to help address housing need in the city.

Harefield councillor and opposition leader Dan Fitzhenry said: "Finally after years of delays we have a plan that the Labour council are committed to to deliver new homes in Townhill Park. We hope they would stick to their commitment that work would begin this year and they would deliver the homes that they promised as quickly as possible without further delays."