PLANS to bring a wind technology firm’s headquarters back to the county have been approved by councillors.

Leading wind measuring company ZX Lidars revealed plans to move its headquarters back to the county it originated from as part of an expansion of Willow End Business Park near Malvern.

The plan would create around 150 jobs, ZX Lidars said.

The firm, which makes technology which is used by on-and-offshore wind turbines and farms, is currently based near Ledbury and has earmarked Willow End as the sites for its new 5,000 square metre home for research and development following a two-year search.

A total of 26 objections were made to the council alongside 16 messages of support.

Objectors were concerned about building on open countryside and the destruction of the green belt as well as the lack of walking and cycling facilities and public transport serving the site.

Hanley Castle Parish Council “strongly” objected to the plan saying that whilst it supported the potential return of a businesses to the county, it was against building a headquarters of its size it in open countryside as it would be detrimental to the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and was not in a sustainable location.

Cllr Martin Allen, who represents Upton and Hanley, said the plan complied with planning law and would “extremely good” for the local economy and jobs “This is a quality employer and a very green company,” he said.

Cllr Andrea Morgan, who also represents Upton and Hanley, said the plan represented long-term investment in the economy and employment in Malvern Hills.

Cllr John Raine added that whilst the plan contained a lot of green infrastructure and environmentally friendly features he was still disappointed it was being built on open countryside.

His concerns about the location were shared by Cllr Paul Bennett but he was happy to support the plan if it was masked correctly to prevent the views from the Malvern Hills being spoilt.

“The creation of high-quality long-term jobs will be beneficial to the area and will further enhance the reputation of Malvern as a centre for successful high-tech companies,” one supporter said.

Malvern Hills District Council’s southern planning committee approved the plan unanimously at a meeting on Wednesday (April 21).