PART of Malvern Town Council’s plans for its new offices, café and community hub have been refused by planners.
The town council had sought permission to change the approved plans for its development at the former pavilion site in Victoria Park, Malvern.
The main scheme, which includes new council offices, a café and community hub, was granted planning permission in 2023 and opened in 2024.
However, a subsequent application to alter the approved drainage arrangements has now been refused by Malvern Hills District Council.
The town council wanted to replace a previously approved drainage swale with underground storage crates, which would hold excess surface water before releasing it into the main drain.
Planning officers at the district council rejected the change after concerns were raised by the South Worcestershire Land Drainage Partnership.
Drainage engineers said the proposed system would restrict water flow through an opening just 15mm in diameter, creating a significantly increased risk of it becoming blocked.
The town council’s application said the alternative drainage method would perform a similar function to the previously approved system but would be safer for the public.
A nearby resident also raised concerns about the revised drainage system because of its proximity to their property’s boundary.
They sought assurances over responsibility if the system overflowed and expressed concern that grass and debris from banks maintained by the town council could contribute to blockages.
Sport England raised no objection and said the revised drainage proposals would not affect the park’s sports pitches.
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Planning officer Marcel Grater said the principle of changing the drainage system was acceptable, as were its visual and ecological impacts.
But the report concluded that the proposed 15mm outlet meant the council had not demonstrated that the new drainage arrangement would provide a long-term sustainable solution.
The application was therefore refused.
The decision relates only to the proposed changes to the approved drainage arrangements, rather than the principle of the new offices, café and community hub itself, which already has planning permission.
