Malvern Theatres
Nic Lloyd gave a presentation to the PSC immediately prior to its meeting on the evening of 25th July. The presentation formed part of a wider consultation in Malvern, all prior to an application to MHDC to approve development of the Malvern Theatres complex.
We heard that the prospective development is urgently required to meet the unfulfilled needs of some Theatre customer groups. We were shown plans and a model which illustrated the proposals. Externally, the development would face on to the Theatre frontage on Grange Road
He reminded us that the Malvern Theatres are committed to making the arts accessible to all. We heard that increased space would extend the rehearsal capabilities generally and would further involve youngsters in theatre productions; there would also be increased capacity to satisfy the many waiting lists for the use of theatre space.
MCS members, in sharing Nic’s enthusiasm for enriching the educational space at the Malvern Theatres, went on to discuss some of the details of the scheme. We were told that there is considerable local enthusiasm for this development which is shared by the Malvern Hills District Council who have, perhaps unusually, granted £200K to the Theatres in advance of planning approval.
PSC look forward with anticipation to the publication of the application for planning approval for the development, and the opportunity to comment fully on the formal proposals.
Malvernbury
Malvernbury is an important site in the history of Malvern because the original building was used by patients taking the water treatment from the famous Malvern springs.
Planning applications started in December 2009 and have sought to convert Malvernbury into 8 apartments. In more recent times, a new owner/developer has consistently appeared to have minimal regard for the approved planning permissions.
Malvern Civic Society Planning Sub-Committee has continuously monitored work on the site in our monthly meetings. We regularly tell MHDC of our serious concerns at liaison meetings. We understand that the developer’s activities on this site may have attracted planning enforcement proceedings by MHDC and, more lately, the interest of the Local Government Ombudsman.
Land at the rear of 10 – 12 Priory Road
The site has been the subject of two applications, identical except in the detail of a proposed apartment block which has three storeys in one version and two storeys in the other. Approval of the three storey version was refused by MHDC. Subsequently, approval of the two storey version was granted and, encouraged by this, the developer appealed against the refusal of the three storey version. The Planning Inspector has confirmed the refusal.
It is presently unclear what the developer’s intentions now are for the future of the site.
Graham Myatt 27/08/18