HUNDREDS of residents are to be given a say on what is built on college sites in their communities.

Middlesbrough College is to close its four sites in the town - Kirby, Acklam Hall, Longlands and Marton Road - and move to a single site at Middlehaven, the rejuvenated docklands area.

The college is applying to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to fund the project, but the LSC will expect the college to financially contribute to the project by selling their existing sites and buildings for redevelopment or conversion.

More than 1,800 letters have been sent to people who live near three of the four campus sites, inviting them to an exhibition on options for the sites and asking for views.

David McGuire, principal planning officer for local plans, said: "People have always been consulted on planning proposals, but they tend to come in when they are planning applications and people have fixed ideas.

"We have taken a couple of steps back and are consulting when things are very much at an embryonic stage.''

Consultants have drawn up ideas on how best the three sites might be used. Displays to explain these will open at both the Kirby and Longlands campus sites tonight, and at the Marton campus tomorrow.

Council officers and staff from the consultants, Nath-aniel Lichfield and Partners, will be present. Housing is suggested for all three sites, though an alternative use for Longlands could be office development.

Mr McGuire said: "Middlesbrough needs more housing to stem its population loss.

"We need to make sure we are providing people with a wide housing choice, so they are not looking further afield for new housing.

"We are losing population both out of the region and across the South Tees housing market."

No consultation is yet planned for the Acklam Hall site because it has Grade I- listed status.

That requires a more complex consideration of its future use and English Heritage representatives have already visited the site. The college should hear the outcome of its bid in early summer.