FUNDING has been slashed for the regeneration of a Southampton estate.
Residents of Townhill Park have long been calling on city leaders to progress the major plans which were due to begin in 2014.
One of the plots earmarked for new council houses remains untouched with residents describing it as an “eyesore.”
'It has come to a standstill'
The project was dealt a further blow as Southampton City Council has cut the regeneration project's budget from £144million to £60.5million.
A total of 56 homes out of the proposed 665 were completed in April 2019.
Due to the budget cuts made earlier this year by the Conservative administration there is only funding for plots 2, 9 and 10 - some 327 homes.
Michelle Venn, who has lived in the area for nearly 30 years, is keen for the council to crack on.
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The 56-year-old said: “The site is starting to look a mess now. The council should get on and do it.
“The number of people needing council flats must be astronomical.”
According to the council website, the designing of plot two for the regeneration is currently underway.
However, resident of 20 years Terri Gailor said fellow residents have been left in the dark about the plans.
The 50-year-old said: “It has all come to a standstill and I have heard nothing about it. We don’t know what’s going on.
“It would be nice for the council to get it done because of the housing crisis we are in, but I am dreading the parking.”
A 'complicated' situation
Resident-led community project SO18 Big Local is working in partnership with the council on the project.
But Chair Kim Ayling described the project as a “dispiriting journey”.
She said: “Yes, it has been 10 years since the Townhill Park community were sold the vision of a new family neighbourhood.
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“Of the 600 plus promised new homes only 56 have been built. Over 250 homes have either been demolished or stand empty surrounded by hoardings.
“This is a complicated situation, as the housing crisis shows, and this continues to be a dispiriting journey of one step forward and then two steps back.”
'Fully committed to this project'
Despite concerns raised by residents, the council said it is “fully committed” to this project.
A public engagement survey on the homes that have been designed will be launched soon to get residents involved.
The funding for the scheme was cut by the previous Conservative administration.
Cllr Lisa Mitchell, cabinet member for housing and green environment, said: "The regeneration of Townhill Park will replace old council housing stock with over six-hundred brand new energy efficient council homes."
She added: “We are fully committed to this project and determined to accelerate the pace of delivery.
“The regeneration is about more than new homes, it is about creating a better neighbourhood and environment for this community to thrive in.
“At the centre of this project is the community and we are working closely with them and SO18 Big Local to ensure the regeneration delivers the best outcomes for the most important part of everything we do, the people.”
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