MALVERN Hills District Council is inviting members of the public to voice their views on proposals to designate the Upton a “neighbourhood area”.

Upton-upon-Severn Town Council has submitted an application to the district council to designate the parish as a neighbourhood area with a view to developing a Neighbourhood Plan.

Neighbourhood Plans are a key part of the government’s Localism agenda to give local people more of a say on issues like where new homes, shops and offices should be built, and the design of new developments.

Malvern Hills is inviting comment on the application, particularly from those living or working in the area, during a six-week public consultation which starts today (Friday).

Cllr Melanie Baker of MHDC said: “Being designated as a neighbourhood area would enable the town council to draw up a Neighbourhood Plan. The development of this plan would be a community effort and the final plan would have to be approved by local residents in the town.”

Upton Mayor Peter Webb said: “A Neighbourhood Plan will help shape the future growth of Upton through a community-led approach, protecting and enhancing Upton’s existing assets and making Upton an even more attractive place in which to live and work.”

The public consultation runs until Friday, February 20. Detailed maps of the proposal are at malvernhills.gov.uk/neighbourhood-planning. They can also be seen at the Malvern and Upton customer contact centres.