A REVOLUTIONARY £40m scheme to provide cheap heat to thousands of homes in Southampton is due to be debated by city planning bosses at the end of this month.

The green scheme will supply 4,000 homes in and around Millbrook if it is given the thumbs up by city chiefs.

The gas-fired plant would be built on a slice of land in Redbridge between the M271 slip road and Redbridge Lane on the city council boundary.

Original plans to site it in Nursling were shown the door by Test Valley Council last year - casting serious doubt on the pioneering scheme's future.

Residents living in Millbrook, Redbridge and Maybush are being given the chance to attend a public meeting on Tuesday at Millbrook Community Centre where city chiefs will unveil detailed plans of the plant.

Council staff and representatives from the developer will be on hand to answer questions about how the community heating scheme will benefit residents.

If planning permission is granted, work will begin on the plant towards the end of 2004 with the first homes receiving heat in 2005.

City bosses say that the plant will provide affordable and more effective heating and hot water for local residents, which will be installed completely free for council tenants.

The city council's Cabinet member for housing and homes Councillor Paul Russell said: "The event will provide an opportunity for people to have their say about this exciting scheme. There will be lots of information on offer for residents to find out how the project will affect them and how it all works.

"This scheme has the potential to really improve residents' homes as there will be no boiler, no noise and no risk of gas escapes or fumes. Also, it is affordable and efficient to run and will provide instant hot water without the need to wait for a hot water tank to heat up."

A similar scheme is already in operation in the city centre, providing cheaper heating and hot water, delivered via underground pipes, to over 400 nearby homes, shops, offices and hospitals.

The free public consultation event will take place from 2-8pm on Tuesday in the Millbrook Community Centre next to Millbrook Towers.