Rallying call for Malvern residents to have their say on town's Neighbourhood Plan - The Malvern Observer

Rallying call for Malvern residents to have their say on town's Neighbourhood Plan

Malvern Editorial 25th Apr, 2019   0

A RALLYING call has gone out to residents to make sure they turn out next Thursday, May 2, and have their say on the Malvern Town Neighbourhood Plan.

A public vote will be held on the document which sets out a vision for the town up to 2030.

There are a wide range of policies, including the protection of local green spaces and 35 key views, car parking, high quality development, high speed broadband and electric vehicle charging points.

The document has been developed by Malvern Town Council over the last four years and has been subject to extensive public consultation and been examined an independent planning inspector.




For any of the policies to come into force it must be supported by 50 per cent or more people in a public referendum which is being held on the same day as the local elections.

Only those living in wards covered by Malvern Town Council – Dyson Perrins, Link, North Malvern, Priory, Pickersleigh and Chase – will be eligible to vote on the plan.


If supported, the plan will then be adopted by Malvern Hills District Council and be used when deciding planning applications.

Neighbourhood plans are a key part of the Government’s localism agenda to give local people more of a say on the type, quality and location of new development.

They also allow local communities to identify environmental areas of local importance which should be protected from inappropriate development.

Gary Williams, Malvern Hills District Council’s head of planning and infrastructure, said: “This is a significant planning document that will help determine, alongside the South Worcestershire Development Plan, whether development proposals in Malvern are approved or not.

“It is therefore important that the people of Malvern let us know whether or not they support the intentions and policies in the Neighbourhood Plan by casting their vote.”

Linda Blake, Malvern Town Council town clerk, said if it was supported the plan would help shape the growth of Malvern whilst protecting valued heritage assets, community facilities and the high quality environment which is so unique to the town.

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