The Malvern Hills National Landscape Joint Advisory Committee was scheduled to discuss plans for improving access for all within the National Landscape, review local planning matters affecting the area, and consider the budget and work programme for the upcoming year. The meeting also included information items on conservation and enhancement projects.

Access for All in the Malvern Hills National Landscape

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from David Armitage, NL Partnership Assistant Manager, regarding efforts to improve access for all within the Malvern Hills National Landscape. This initiative aligns with the vision outlined in the Malvern Hills National Landscape Management Plan 2025-2030, which aims to ensure the landscape is welcoming and accessible to everyone. The report was expected to cover how access funds for 2026/27 could be utilised. Past efforts, supported by over £210,000 in dedicated Access for All funding, have included the purchase of a disabled buggy, improvements to footpath surfaces and disabled parking, the installation of pedestrian gates, and the provision of equipment for visually impaired walking groups. While the dedicated Access for All programme concluded on 31 March 2026, further funding of £89,248 is anticipated for 2026/27. The report was also set to address challenges faced by ethnic communities in accessing green spaces, mirroring issues such as the provision of toilets and public transport, and concerns about dogs off leads. The report noted that attempts to address these needs had unfortunately led to negative press coverage, which the National Landscape Team had addressed by issuing a general statement on their website.

Planning Matters

A report from Catherine Laidlaw, NL Planning Officer, was scheduled to provide an update on the development of Local Plans affecting the Malvern Hills National Landscape.

Forest of Dean District Draft Local Plan

A significant focus was the Forest of Dean District Council's Revised Draft Local Plan, specifically the proposed allocation of Glynchbrook Garden Village, a development of approximately 3,500 houses situated adjacent to the National Landscape's southern boundary. The Malvern Hills National Landscape (MHNL) team had submitted a response to the consultation, with assistance from consultants One Creative Environment. Their concerns, detailed in the response available on the MHNL website, included the scale and location of the proposed growth, potential landscape and setting impacts, evidence and assessment gaps within the plan, reliance on future master planning, and potential pressures on the Malvern Hills Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to increased recreational use. The MHNL team's response objected to the Glynchbrook allocation and the overall spatial strategy of the plan, arguing it did not adequately demonstrate how it would conserve and enhance the National Landscape and its setting.

Herefordshire Local Plan

Herefordshire Council was in the process of preparing a new Local Plan, having paused its previous draft. Ledbury was identified as a key area for growth, with potential expansion on its western and southern edges expected to impact the setting of the National Landscape. Cross-boundary impacts with Malvern and Colwall, including effects on the Malvern Hills SSSI, were anticipated to be significant issues.

South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR)

The SWDPR had been found sound by inspectors and adopted by the South Worcestershire Councils. However, due to increased national housing requirements, a further review was expected to commence shortly, which could intensify development pressure on the National Landscape, particularly around Malvern and the Worcester fringes.

The report highlighted that these local plan-making processes were occurring amidst significant national changes, including planning reform and potential local government reorganisation, creating uncertainty but also a clear direction towards increased housing targets. The MHNL team was actively liaising with planning policy officers in the relevant councils and with Natural England to ensure the National Landscape and its setting were considered and that cross-boundary issues were addressed collaboratively.

National Landscape Budget and Indicative Work Programme 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to review the proposed budget for 2026/27 and comment on the work priorities for the year ahead. The core budget was expected to remain at £217,620, with £173,490 anticipated from central government (Defra) and £44,130 in match funding from local authorities including Herefordshire Council, Worcestershire County Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Forest of Dean District Council, and Gloucestershire County Council. Voluntary contributions from Parish and Town Councils were also noted as a valuable addition to the overall budget.

The work programme for 2026/27 was to be centred on implementing the NL Management Plan and driven by recent initiatives. Key priorities included continuing work towards meeting 30by30 targets (conserving 30% of the country for biodiversity by 2030), implementing the Climate Change Adaptation Plan with a focus on Natural Flood Management, delivering Defra's Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme, and undertaking Access for All improvements. The team would also provide advice and support to landowners, assist Natural England with a Protected Sites Strategy for the Malvern Hills SSSI, and work to raise awareness and increase participation. Participation in Local Development Plan reviews and training for Local Planning Authority Officers were also on the agenda.

Additional funding pots from Defra were expected for the Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme (£326,058), Access for All (£89,248), and capital grants (£123,079) for 30x30 work and investment.

Information Items

The meeting was scheduled to receive information on various projects and activities undertaken within the Malvern Hills National Landscape.

• Nature Conservation: The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) budget for 2025/26 had been spent, with a summary of completed projects to be updated. Capital funding had supported management works in six woodlands to improve ecological condition, including the purchase of a robocut machine by the Malvern Hills Trust for managing the Malvern Hills SSSI. Efforts to reintroduce the Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterfly were ongoing, with grant support provided for habitat management. A new woodland of 7,700 native trees and shrubs was planted in Suckley to connect areas of Ancient Semi Natural Woodland, funded by the Forestry Commission. Farm advisory work had assisted farmers with SFI schemes and registered restored meadows as Priority Habitat Inventory grassland. Water sampling projects were initiated on Whippets and Careys Brooks to inform management for endangered White-Clawed Crayfish.
• Climate Change Adaptation: Eleven leaky dams were installed on Swinyard Hill as part of Natural Flood Management efforts, in collaboration with the Malvern Hills Trust and Worcestershire County Council.
• Historic Environment: A Parkland Management Plan for the Old Colwall land holding in Herefordshire was completed, with the hope of a future Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier application.
• Wildlife Management: Support was provided to two local land managers for Deer Safety Certification and food hygiene courses.
• Voluntary Activity: Volunteers from the Earth Heritage Trust worked on four sites to manage geological heritage. The MHNL purchased new mist nets for volunteers conducting bird surveys on Castlemorton Common.
• Development Proposals: The application for the Chapel Hill / Monksfield Farm Solar Farm (M/24/01781/FUL) was refused by Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) due to landscape and highways impacts. Discussions were ongoing with MHDC officers and Barratt Homes regarding a reserved matters application for Cales Farm (M/25/01235/FUL), with the MHNL team pushing for better integration of green infrastructure to mitigate visual and landscape impacts.