NEW developments in Malvern must be fully integrated into the existing community - that is the the vision set out in the new neighbourhood plan, nearing completion by Malvern Town Council.

The plan sets out that services should be centred on Great Malvern, the Link, Barnards Green, the retail park and neighbourhood shopping parades.

It also looks at high-tech employment expansion at Malvern Science Park, QinetiQ and north-east Malvern and for Spring Lane to continue to provide a variety of industrial and commercial uses.

There are also proposals for a broadening of the area’s tourism assets to provide more jobs and economic growth.

The plan has been in the making for four years and, in that time, the council has run volunteer-led working groups, identified policy areas, gathered evidence, drafted the plan and carried out a number of public consultations.

Mayor Cynthia Palmer “This has been a very challenging project. Malvern is made up of a number of very different centres and the urban areas of Great Malvern, Malvern Link and Barnards Green are all very different.

“As a result, development pressures, transportation issues, settlement design, environmental issues and needs of the local community vary considerably across the town. Added to this, the population of Malvern has made this one of the largest neighbourhood plans in the country.”

Members of the public and town councillors past and present gave time to provide information and analysis.

Malvern Hills District Council is now responsible for a six-week consultation, scrutiny by an independent examiner and a referendum.

Town clerk Linda Blake said: “When adopted, Malvern’s Neighbourhood Plan will sit alongside the South Worcestershire Development Plan. Decisions on planning applications will be made using both this plan and the SWDP, and it has allowed the local community to play a stronger role in shaping and setting a positive vision to the development of Malvern over the next twelve years.”