COUNCILLORS representing residents close to Malvern's North Site have been told to watch what they say about the redevelopment of the defence base.

Dyson Perrins ward councillor Serena Croad had been intending to outline her views on the massive redevelopment in the Malvern Gazette this week.

Malvern Hills District Council will launch a blueprint on what it thinks should happen to the site for public consultation in January and is inviting opinions.

Almost 400 houses, a new school and business park are included on the council blueprint.

Both Coun Croad and fellow ward councillor, Graham Myatt, have been given legal advice on what they can say by the council's corporate director Kevin Douglas.

Councillors have been warned against criticising specific parts of the redevelopment, in case they prejudice their 'neutral' position when a planning application is lodged.

They have been told they still have the option of relaying comments made by their constituents.

Coun Croad said: "I always take the advice of Kevin Douglas, as I believe it is in our best interests, but I did feel that as a ward member with something very exciting happening in my ward, I should be able to speak to the local paper.

"At the end of day, North Site is the future of Malvern."

The presumption, under local government rules, is that councillors involved in judging planning applications should not make prejudicial statements ahead of any decision.

Mr Douglas said that members expressing critical views of the council's blueprint for the base may prejudice their position if a subsequent planning application follows the same design

"There is no problem in members talking to the press about issues surrounding North Site and talking about the blueprint. They can indicate support from their area, providing they talk about issues and not specific things."