HOUSING on a Southampton estate's open space? You decide.

That is the decision by members of the Outer Shirley Regeneration board, who last night batted the controversial issue back to Millbrook residents.

They have vowed to only support building on open space if residents are in agreement.

They have also pledged to keep the bulldozers away from Mansel Park itself, focusing on the Green Link, between Windrush Road and Sedburgh Road, for possible development.

The debate has flared up amid ambitious plans to vastly improve Millbrook's biggest park off Windermere Avenue.

At the moment the Outer Shirley Regeneration board has set aside £220,000 for improvements.

However, it would cost more than £1m to create a top quality park, with a water feature, shelters, seats, a skate park, jogging trail, a maze and wildlife area.

To raise the cash for the work, bosses are considering selling land for new homes along Green Link, a patch of land which links Mansel Park with Green Park.

At last night's Outer Shirley Regeneration meeting, members were asked to decide whether to support new housing - or drop the idea and go for minor improvements to Mansel Park instead.

Community representative Sue Fletcher said: "We have seen that once an inroad is made with housing it continues and continues until you end up with a pocket handkerchief-sized open space."

Neighbourhood warden Richard Downes told the meeting: "Looking at it realistically, the only option for any development of the park is with the housing.

"If we don't sell the land, the money we have put aside will disappear on studies and not much else."

The board opted to relaunch the consultation in part of Millbrook around the Green Link.

Residents will be asked specifically if they want to see new housing to fund a massive park revamp.

If they say no, the board will be forced to opt for cheaper and small-scale park improvements.

If the answer is yes, the Outer Shirley board will lend their support to the scheme, triggering a further study which will pave the way for housing.

It must also be approved by Southampton City Council's cabinet and planning committee.

Regeneration board chairman Dave Meehan told the Daily Echo: "This is a very important issue and one that has divided the local community.

"While everyone wants to see a new and improved facility at the parks, not everyone is happy about selling off land for housing."