PEOPLE living in Bassett, Southampton, have the chance to decide on the future of their neighbourhood over the coming weeks.

Thousands of residents in Bassett have contributed towards a draft development plan, which will set out where they want building work to take place and where they want to protect beauty spots nearby.

With help from a dozen residents’ associations in Bassett, Southampton City and ward councillor Les Harris has supported residents during past two and a half years to produce the document.

Now a six-week consultation is under way, with a series of public meetings beginning today giving people the chance to approve or make changes before a local referendum is held later in the year.

Community leaders hope the plan will: l Provide protection of the golf course, Outdoor Sports Centre and woodland areas; l Protect Bassett Green Village Conservation Area and ensuring the village green remains as an amenity space; l Control the number of houses throughout Bassett.

Cllr Harris said the plan puts people in Bassett “in the driving seat” and tells the city council planning department where they want future development.

A number of public meetings have now been arranged this month and copies of the plan are available to view.

Following the consultation, which ends on October 9, the plan will go forward to a referendum later in the year, and if approved will become legally enforceable and sit alongside the city development plan.

Cllr Harris added: “It has been a huge task and all the residents associations and others have worked extremely hard to produce the plan, to ensure local views are taken into account in the development of Bassett.

“This is a way the local residents can have their say and affect the way the area develops over the next 15 years, protecting the character of the area and ensuring it develops in the way the residents prefer.”