The leader of Southampton City Council has told residents "you can trust us" with a £60m regeneration of Townhill Park despite the project being delayed for 12 years.

Started in 2012, the regeneration scheme was originally set to have 665 homes completed by 2019 - but so far the council has delivered just 56.

In a public meeting held on Tuesday, council leader Lorna Fielker said she had placed housing regeneration into her portfolio in order to "make sure it gets the attention that it needs and deserves".

The latest development in the more than a decade-long fiasco saw contractor Drew Smith pull out of building homes. The council is now working with affordable housing providers to find a suitable replacement.

Abri Group, Hyde Group, Sovereign Housing Association and Stonewater Ltd have been appointed to work with the council to build affordable homes at several plots in Townhill Park.

During the meeting, the council leader was asked why the council had appointed housing associations to deliver the homes. There are fears they will charge higher rents.

Cllr Fielker said: “My preference is that every home we deliver in the city is owned by Southampton City Council, but we proved we have not been able to do that very quickly in the past.

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“These housing associations will not necessarily charge higher rates. Affordable housing is social rent, affordable rent levels or shared ownership.

“There is a pragmatism to ensuring we can build new homes quickly and that’s what we need to do.”

Other residents said they did not feel confident in the council after their recent budget shortfall.

Cllr Fielker added: “We have now got to a point in all local councils where we are running out of road.

"It is getting harder and harder to meet the rising demand, particularly with regards to housing.

“This is not a local problem - this is a national government problem.

“You can trust us – we are a safe pair of hands.

“I also think it is absolutely right that we are held to account for the lack of delivery over the last 12 years. There is a clear plan in order to get new homes here in the future.”