Locals concerned over management of Malvern Hills

The trust that manages the Malvern Hills has proposed changes to how it is run

Campaigners have said they are worried about the future of the Malvern Hills, as the trust that manages the land proposed major changes to how it is run.

The Malvern Hills Trust proposed reducing the number of trustees who manage the 3,000 acre (1,214 hectare) landscape from 29 to 12, of which only six would be elected.

Locals argued the changes would be "undemocratic" and "dangerous".

A meeting of Malvern Hills District Council on Thursday concluded that the trust "ought to reconsider" the proposal to have six elected trustees.

The changes would also include a new "general power", which would allow it to make decisions over the land without going to Parliament.

Those decisions might include things like installing temporary fencing, or buying livestock to graze on the land.

Residents in seven Malvern Hills District Council wards and three parishes pay a contribution towards the trust as part of their council tax.

At present, 11 of the 29 trustees are elected.

Dozens of locals turned out to a meeting on Thursday to have their say

Tom Wells, leader of the district council, agreed with concerns over having fewer trustees.

"The trap we could fall into here is that the people of Malvern Hills would continue to pay their precept to the trust, but in future, their representation will diminish," he said.

The trust's chief executive Deborah Fox said research suggested that the optimum number of trustees for a charity was between six and 12.

"This is a genuine public consultation and we will listen to what people are saying," she said.

"If they think that dynamic is wrong, we will listen to it."

Commercialisation fears

Some locals were concerned that access to the land would be diminished.

"They seem to be making more things commercial," said Pat, who has lived in Malvern for more than 30 years.

"As soon as you get money involved, it's becoming a business rather than saving the hills, which is what they should be doing."

Ms Fox said this was untrue.

"Categorically, people will not be charged access to the hills," she said.

"They won't be banned from the hills and commons, we won't be building on them.

"The trust won't be a commercial entity. We’re a registered charity, so we cannot operate for commercial purposes," she added.

The consultation over the changes runs until Monday 22 July.