MALVERN technology firm QinetiQ says it expects to sell land it owns for housing development in the next few months.

The company was granted permission in December 2007 to build 28 homes on the barrack stores site, between Court Road and the Malvern College playing field, and another 28 on the S and T site, off St Andrew's Road.

The permissions lapsed earlier this month, and QinetiQ now wants to extend this for another three years.

In an application to Malvern Hills District Council, agent GVA Grimley, acting for QinetiQ, says: "QinetiQ have been in negotiation with several housebuilders in relation to the disposal of both sites, although the downturn in the housing market occurred at the same time as the permissions were granted.

"However, they have now selected a preferred purchaser and expect to complete the sale in the next few months."

At a presentation to Malvern Town Council in October, the firm said that it was also hoping to build a further 300 homes on the southern part of the site, bordering the Arosa Drive estate.

QinetiQ itself would occupy a smaller part of the site, and land would be made available for high-tech employment as well.