TWO weeks ago the Shard had its official opening.

As you will know it is a towering pyramid of steel and glass, dominating the London skyline.

It has many critics concerning its purpose and its funding but above all its siting close to much smaller scale and revered landmarks like St Paul’s and Tower Bridge.

Its supporters cite the Eiffel Tower which also met some original resistance.

However, the Eiffel Tower gets its majesty from its position in a vast, open park that matches its scale.

Whatever has all this to do with Malvern?

Two crucial things I suggest: siting and scale.

The South Worcestershire Development Plan seeks to dump down over 1,000 houses on green fields on the edge of Malvern.

It thereby avoids the real planning challenge of dispensing the houses in proportion to existing communities in the Malvern Hills District.

Even more blatantly it ignores the very special position of Malvern set on the sides of its miniature mountain range.

It is one of the gems of our British landscape, which is itself the most varied in the world.

Fortunately we have many national and local bodies who recognise this and seek to protect Malvern.

Unfortunately they appear almost powerless in the face of developer pressure and influence – the equivalent of Qatari money for the Shard.

A few weeks ago in a letter to the Malvern Gazette I asked for local politicians, planners and developers to come forward and engage in the debate about what is best for Malvern.

Or – I asked – were their interests best served by keeping silent.

I have heard not one thing back (has anyone?) so the accusation appears to be true.

The whole consultation has been an elaborate charade and for councillors, planners and developers it is already a done deal.

CHARLES EDEN, Madresfield