THE first votes are being cast for the future of one of Southampton's biggest parks, as bosses unveil ambitious plans.

Scores of Millbrook residents visited a drop-in session to view plans to massively improve Mansel Park, off Windermere Avenue.

The plans include an open-air amphitheatre, cricket and football pitches, a grass maze, new footpaths and cycleways and a wildlife garden. But the £1m scheme would come at a cost - part of the Green Link would have to be given up for 40 new homes to fund it.

More than 4,000 voting slips have been sent out to residents with a choice: build on the Green Link to pay for huge improvements, or save the land and make minor changes to Mansel Park.

At the Outer Shirley Regeneration office in Irving Road yesterday, opinions were split.

Anthony Barwick, 67, of Waveney Green, said: "I'm all for housing, I think we need more of it in Southampton."

Neighbour Marlene Chou, 47, added: "My kids play on the Green Link. It's safe and I can watch them, and I don't want to lose that to housing."

Southampton City Council's leisure expert Bob Whitfield was on hand to answer questions.

He said: "It seems to have generated a lot of interest. These plans have been drawn up from what the community wanted, following consultations in the spring."

Community bosses on the Outer Shirley Regeneration Board have pledged to back the house-build only if the plan finds favour with Millbrook residents.

Votes must be in by Friday, October 29.