CRITICISM of a leaflet released by Walton Marine clarifying details of the proposed expansion of Upton Marina has been rebuffed by the company's managing director.

Published last month to reassure residents and traders about aspects of the £3 million project, it was described as "bilge" by the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE).

The leaflet said that the development would not worsen flooding, increase traffic or provide competition to existing businesses. It also claimed the scheme would bring more trade to the town, improve wildlife habitats and provide better facilities for Upton Rowing Club, Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) and Malvern Sea Cadets.

"It's typical developer's propaganda," said Frank Hill, of Malvern CPRE. "The publicity leaflet claims there will be little extra traffic on the roads. This is true, but there will be a lot more congestion at the entrance to the marina."

Mr Hill said that the building works would create "a disused tip when "thousands of tonnes of mud are dredged up to form a new embankment." He also disputed Walton Marine's claim that the development would boost the town's businesses.

"Everyone knows that boat owners tend to be self-sufficient," he said. "People staying at the self-catering holiday chalets may bring in some extra trade but the holiday village will be empty for more than half the year."

However, Mike Cook, managing director of Walton Marine, dismissed the claims as "eccentric and one-sided".

"I'm surprised at the CPRE view," he said. "They were consulted over a year ago during the preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). "Clearly, the author has not read, or is ignoring, the non-technical summary that covers the issues raised regarding the countryside, traffic, car parking, construction and land use.

"Life is a balance and that's what we have tried to achieve at Upton Marina. We are a local company trying to do our best in testing times when the economy of the area is very much in the balance.

"Our plans have been, from the very beginning, driven by the concept that we must work in partnership with the town and not compete with local businesses."