THE future of a popular charity bookshop is up in the air after the arrival of a plan to convert the building into flats.

A planning application would see the second-hand book shop Books for Amnesty and Waller and Waller opticians close in Edith Walk shut down to make for five new flats.

Volunteers at the bookshop say they had not been made aware of the plans before the application emerged and opponents to the move say the town would lose a “valued and integral contributor to cultural and literary life.”

The buildings are incorrectly listed as having been empty for more than three months in the application.

If approved by Malvern Hills District Council, the request for prior approval by the developer would mean the work could be carried out without the need to submit a full planning application.

More than 30 objections have been submitted to Malvern Hills District Plan against the plan criticising the potential loss of another independent shop in the town centre.

One objector Janet Dyer who helped establish the bookshop in the late 90s, said: “The bookshop raises significant funds for this important, well-respected charity and has become a valued and integral contributor to the cultural and literary life of Malvern.

“Edith Walk is an extremely narrow, one-way thoroughfare with on-street parking and poor access. This development will inevitably increase vehicular traffic and exacerbate the problem.

“A development of 11 houses and 6 flats is already approved for land behind the Foley Arms Hotel and I regard this application as over-development in the Victorian heart of Malvern.”

Another objector, Terry Potter of Quest Hills Road, said: “The loss of this bookshop would constitute a significant blow to the cultural richness of the town.

“As a longstanding book collector and regular customer, I am well aware of the status this shop has with other collectors and dealers across the region and, indeed, nationally.”

James Pertwee of West Malvern Road said: “Malvern is unique in its character and amenities. It would be a great pity to lose such businesses and have them replaced by what sounds like some very cramped residential properties in the available space.”