Planners look again at Marina

Members of Malvern Hills District Council's southern area planning committee will discuss the application on Wednesday night.

The plan has proved to be one of the most divisive in Upton's history since being originally unveiled in 2000.

Walton Marine, which owns the marina, wants to create a second boat basin with 120 new berths, redevelop the existing buildings and build a holiday village with over 100 apartments and lodges.

More than 100 letters of objection have been sent to the council, petitions have been raised and public meetings held.

Many people fear extending the marina will make flooding problems worse, increase traffic and pollution and fill in the open country between the existing marina and Holly Green and Ryall.

Last month, around 200 people attended a public meeting called by Upton Civic Society. Most of the speakers were against the plan, though some local traders favoured it.

Steve Arber, of Walton Marine, defended the plan, saying it had been adapted to accommodate locals' views and represented a "huge investment" in the area.

"A number of initiatives have been agreed that will enhance the existing links between the marina and the town, improving accessibility, recreational opportunities and economic as well as environmental viability," he said.

The plan last came up before MHDC planners in December. That time, officers recommended refusal, but councillors overruled the recommendation, telling the officers to reopen negotiations with the applicants.

This time, unusually, the officers are not making a recommendation to either refuse or approve the application.

Planning officer David Murray said: "All we're doing this time is saying that if councillors do approve it, they should do so subject to certain conditions."

The planning meeting is on Wednesday, April 16, at Priory Lodge Hall, Avenue Road, Malvern. It starts earlier than normal - at 6.30pm - and at least an hour will be timetabled for discussing the marina application.