Householders are being given a chance to say how they think nearly £290,000 of money earmarked for recreation in their neighbourhood should be spent.

The money destined for Cowley, Oxford, has come from legal planning agreements on two major development sites in the area - the former Oxford Bus Garage site in Cowley Road, and the site of Temple Cowley Middle School, Temple Road.

A total of £309,107.88 has been handed over to Oxford City Council to spend on Cowley Marsh Park and the area surrounding Temple Cowley Swimming Pool, £21,877.50 of which has already been spent on Barracks Lane Community Garden, an assessment into a possible skate park in Cowley Marsh, and habitat creation in the area.

Saj Malik, who represents Cowley Marsh on the council, said: "We are now in the position to provide better facilities and really raise the bar in Cowley Marsh.

"It's well-deserved money to the residents who have to see this area changing with major developments coming in.

"We have to plan carefully because you don't get such large sums of money all the time but we can really use this in the Temple Cowley and Cowley Marsh areas."

He added: "The idea is to consult the local residents properly on where that money should be spent.

"It's payback to the residents and it is our duty to make sure it's money well spent so we don't rush anything.

"These developments have an impact on the population and this is a just reward to that area which will improve the existing facilities."

The bulk of the money, more than £99,000, will go towards new recreation facilities.

About £62,000 will go on a play area in Cowley Marsh and £4,000 more will be spent on creating wildlife habitats.

Nearly £9,000 is to go on improvements to Cowley Marsh recreation ground, more than £25,000 on provision and enhancement of public open space areas in Temple Cowley, including children's play areas, and £77,000 on provision and enhancement of recreation facilities at Temple Cowley Swimming Pool, possibly to include extra parking.

About half the money must be spent by 2010 with the rest having to be spent by 2015.

Mr Malik said: "If the money is spent wisely this park, Cowley Marsh, will not just be a public park but a facility so we can hire things out."

The former Oxford Bus Garage site has been replaced with upmarket flats, in Reliance Way, and the Temple Cowley Middle School site now has more than 100 homes, many of which are social housing run by Catalyst Housing Association.