RESIDENTS in the Townhill Park area of Southampton have had their say on the newly christened Townhill Green.

Now civic chiefs want to hear residents’ ideas for the space.

A four-week survey as part of Southampton City Council’s regeneration of Townhill Park invited residents to share their visions for the space off Meggeson Avenue.

Following the survey the council is inviting residents to focus groups to discuss plans for the children’s play area, outdoor exercise area and planted eco-wall.

The designs discussed in the survey featured an outdoor exercise area, an enlarged themed children’s play area and a feature wall.

Also included in the proposed design was additional parking, including disabled parking and access along Ozier Road along with a serviced space with power and water for a concession stand.

With 191 responses, 85% ‘strongly agree’ and ‘agree’ with the proposed layout put forward by the council. As many as 68% chose ‘Townhill Green’ from the list of names as it “gave the new green space a sense of ownership and inclusivity for the whole community.”

The council also asked people’s preference for the feature wall with 63% choosing a planted eco-wall as their favourite.

Cllr Steve Leggett, cabinet member for green city and place, said: “Townhill Green demonstrates our commitment to protecting and enhancing our natural environment which is a key theme within our Green City Plan. We are keen to ensure that the environment is at the forefront of all our activities and the regeneration of Townhill Park is a great example of this, especially with the choosing of a plant eco-wall as the feature. “

The creation of Townhill Green is funded through a £3.75 million Homes England grant.

Cllr Satvir Kaur, Cabinet Member for Culture and Homes, said: “This pandemic and lockdowns have highlighted just how important open green spaces are to local families and how they have become the centre of many communities. Homes are more than bricks and mortar, but people. Townhill Green will be a space for everyone.”

Kim Ayling, Chair of SO18 Big Local, said: “It is so important that the community are at the heart of projects like Townhill Green and I urge all of the residents at Townhill Park to make the most of the focus groups next year by signing up early!”