TWO historic sites in Malvern's conservation area are to be redeveloped as part of the merger between Malvern College Prep School and the Downs in Colwall.

From September, the college will move its prep section to Colwall. The Downs is currently being redeveloped.

Malvern College this week announced the sale of its existing prep sites, Hillstone and Hampton, to an undisclosed developer. It plans to plough the proceeds from the sale into the Downs project.

Bursar Ian Barron said he could not reveal what the sites would become but that the school is keen to see them used sympathetically.

"The sites remain close to home, so we obviously have an interest there," he said.

"Hampton especially is a protected site so we knew anything happening there would not be vastly different. But there is a limit to how much you can influence something."

The headteacher of the new school, to be called the Downs, Malvern College, will be current Downs headteacher Alastair Ramsay.

Malvern Hills District Council planning officer Rosalyn Kirby said the sites were in the urban area and the principle of development for other uses was acceptable.

"Part of the Hampton site is designated as important open space, so there would certainly be restrictions there," she said. "Access is also likely to be an issue into both sites, and the trees are also important with it being a conservation area."

She said uses could include a nursing home or housing development. It could incorporate a mixture of new-build and use of existing buildings.

Mr Barron said the merger would bring benefits both from a business perspective and to pupils themselves.

"The Downs has a fantastic site, with 50 acres of flat land in a beautiful setting. We were faced with having to invest in the old site at some point because our facilities are looking tired and when this opportunity came along, we saw it worth investing in."

Priory ward councillor Roger Hall-Jones said he hoped that the buildings significantly improved by the development.