CAMPAIGNERS voiced their concerns at Malvern Hills Trust's plans for its future at a packed district council meeting. 

But Trust members defended the plans, adding there were no ulterior motives to their plans to bring the organisation 'into the 21st century'. 

Public speakers were invited to voice their opinions on plans to update the Trust's governance through a private bill at an extraordinary meeting of Malvern Hills District Council. 

Katherine Harris, speaking on behalf of her husband, Patrick, raised objections to the proposal to cut trustees from 29 to 12- with only six elected. 

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She said: "This bill is an attack on the democratic rights of levy payers, it concentrates power in the hands of a few. 

"The six so-called elected Trustees in the new system will be from precept and non-precept paying areas.

"No details are available of how nominated Trustees will be chosen, but worryingly, Malvern Hills Trust could become controlled by a non-elected few from outside the Malvern area."

Trust CEO Deborah Fox said the sheer numbers of trustees, who currently outnumbered the staff, was hard for the team to service.

David Smallwood added if anyone wanted to go for a walk on the Hills without having to pay, they had better go soon. 

He added: "The Trust is seeking an explicit power to issue licences to people who wish to carry out activities on Trust land, with a power to make an administrative charge- and walking is definitely an activity."

Trustee Sheila Wren said the Trust wasn't perfect but added there were no ulterior motives as everything the Trust does is in pursuit of its charitable objectives. 

"The Trust wants to modernise its governance so it can operate more effectively. 

"It will not be giving itself a general power so it can do anything it likes, there will be no selling off or building on public space, no solar farms on the hills and no charging people to access them."

Trust CEO Deborah Fox added: “Change is hard and worrying, I get that. 

“Proposals for a new act would put in place much-needed reforms but certain core principles will remain the same."