A new neighbourhood plan is setting out a vision for the Welland area up until 2041.

The Welland Neighbourhood Plan, which has been officially adopted by Malvern Hills District Council, was unanimously approved at an Extraordinary Council meeting on Tuesday (April 9).

The town's plan for the future includes a vision of a "thriving rural village" and "a highly attractive and successful place for people to live, work and play in, retaining its village feeling and combining that with modern facilities".

 

 

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To meet these goals, the plan has laid out 21 objectives which come under four main themes.

These were specifically tailored to deal with matters of housing, community infrastructure, the natural environment, the built environment, the economy and design.

Approval of the plan followed a referendum on Thursday, March 7, where 90.4 per cent voted in favour of the council using the Neighbourhood Plan to aid in the determination of planning applications in the area.

The council is legally obliged to approve any neighbourhood plan that is backed by a positive referendum within eight weeks of the result.

The adoption of the plan comes after numerous consultations since December 2013, when the parish council initiated the neighbourhood plan.

Cllr David Harrison said: "I would like to congratulate Little Malvern and Welland Parish Council, the members of the Welland Neighbourhood Planning Working Group, council officers, many public bodies and local residents for the time and dedication to get this plan approved by the local electorate.

"This will influence any development within the planned area – well done".

Mick Davies said: "The plan that has been adopted truly reflects the views of the people of Welland and it will certainly help make a difference to our lives for the next two decades and beyond.

"This is a special day for the Parish Council and its Neighbourhood Plan working group.

"Our thanks also go to Malvern Hills District Council, both for the hard work, sound guidance and encouragement from officers over the years and for the wise decision of members today."

For more information, residents can visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/ and search for 'Welland Neighbourhood Plan'.