A COMMUNITY in Southampton has been urged not to lose heart after a recent arson attack on a new housing development.

The joint rallying call from city councillor Paul Jenks, pictured, chairman of Southampton Regeneration Executive, and the Rev Norman Boakes, chairman of the Outer Shirley Regeneration Board and Swaythling Housing Society, follows the fire last weekend.

It caused an estimated £500,000 worth of damage to an innovative housing site under construction next door to Mason Moor Primary School in Millbrook.

The high cost of the blaze was based on the development's relative uniqueness - offering energy-efficient, part solar-powered housing - which attracted welcome publicity for one of the city's most cash-strapped districts.

In a statement issued to the Daily Echo the three parties said: "The devastating fire at Mason Moor is an enormous disappointment to everyone involved with both the housing development and the regeneration of the local area.

"These thoughtless individuals have not only destroyed the buildings but have caused a major setback for the neighbourhood.

"The development is of innovative design which will provide households with lower than usual energy costs and higher than normal space standards in a HomeZone environment where children's play will have priority over cars to provide a high-quality of life for residents.

"We are sure that the rest of the community shares our frustration that the hard work of the people attempting to breathe new life back into the area has been wasted. Regenerating an area is as much about motivating local people as it is about erecting new buildings. Although incidents such as this can be detrimental, we refuse to let a small minority destroy the regeneration of the wider community."

When completed, the 27 eco-friendly houses and six flats will be offered to people on the waiting lists of Southampton City Council and Swaythling Housing Association.

Police believe children had been playing at the building site on several occasions prior to the severe blaze.