THE South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) has been in preparation since 2008, enabling extensive research into technical evidence and identifying the most sustainable options and consulting on these.

This process also helped the council to refine the plans; on the site to the North East of Malvern, housing numbers were reduced from 1,100 to 700 and a new town cemetery was included as well as employment space, extensive sports facilities, playing fields and multi-use games pitches for all young people and Malvern residents, a police post, community hall, health centre, highway improvements and an extensive country park around Newland village.

The alternative plan proposes sites already discounted by council officers – this report is against professional advice. If the original SWDP is not signed off, Malvern Hills District Council runs the risks of leaving the door open for appeal-led planning; resulting in large-scale housing developments which will not secure strategic improvements to transport and other infrastructure.

Under the SWDP a substantial amount of housing growth associated with MHDC is being accommodated in the neighbouring authorities of Worcester and Wychavon.

If the councils abandon the SWDP and produce their own plans this would potentially mean providing the full 7,523 dwellings in Malvern Hills District – an increase of 2,523.

SCOT CHAMBERLIN Managing Director Gleeson Strategic Land