Parks and Open Spaces
Apart from a handful of sites as detailed below, the majority of the districts parks and open spaces (including sports pitches) are owned and maintained by the town and parish councils for the area they are located.
Malvern Hills District Council does however maintain a crucial role in the protection of existing and development of new park and open space provision, as a result of new developments.
Council Owned Facilities
The council owns, manages and maintains the following facilities:
- Priory Park, Great Malvern
- Belle Vue Island, Great Malvern
- Hanley Road Car Park, Upton
- The Old Churchyard and Tower, Upton
- Milestone Road, Upton
- Deane Close, Powick
- Montgomerie Close, Powick
Malvern Hills District Council parks and open spaces are all covered by the Byelaws made under section 164 of the Public Health Act 1875 and sections 12 and 15 of the Open Spaces Act 1906
Details of the Byelaws are available from us by emailing
Section 106 Developers Contribution
The council plays a crucial role in ensuring that new developments provide the required services, infrastructure and amenities to serve new and existing communities. For more information, visit Planning Obligations (Section 106).
An example of this is the Malvern Vale development, which has been recommended as a role model to nurture community spirit and identity.
These recommendations are based on the report ‘Malvern Vale Community Development Project 2011-14 Project Evaluation Report', in which the successes of working closely with Festival Housing to provide a Community Development Worker has benefited the community.
Section 106 Grant Fund
As detailed within the Section 106 developers contributions section above, a developer is required to provide appropriate public open space provision to support new or existing communities.
Where such provision is not provided on site, the council secures a financial contribution from the developer to support the enhancement of existing, or the development of new off site provision.
All developers contributions are managed through the council's Section 106 Funding for Public Open Space page
All non profit making organisations are eligible, however it is principally town and parish councils who apply for some or all of a developers contribution (normally from a development within their parish).
The fundamental aim of the grant funding is to deliver projects which improve the open space provision and meets the local communities identified needs.
Open Space Evidence
Plans, strategies, studies and reports
In order for the council to evidence the need for Section 106 developers contributions, and effectively manage the distribution of funding through the Section 106 Grant Fund. The council utilises a wide range of evidence, provided in chronological order as follows:
Evidence:
- Malvern Hills District Sport and Leisure Strategy 2014-2024
- pdf Malvern Hills District Council Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy and Action Plan 2020-41 (1.08 MB)
- pdf Malvern Hills District Council Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy Assessment Report 2021 (2.82 MB)
- pdf Malvern Hills District Council Indoor and Built Sports Facilities Strategy 2020-41 (1.18 MB)
- pdf Malvern Hills District Council Indoor and Built Sports Facilities Strategy Needs Assessment 2021 (4.52 MB)
- pdf South Worcestershire Open Space Assessment Open Space (2019) (10.61 MB)
- pdf Community Buildings and Halls in South Worcestershire (2019) (1.82 MB)
- Malvern Hills Local Football Facility Plan
Hiring Parks and Open Spaces
If you wish to hire one of our parks or open spaces, please complete an pdf Application Form (30 KB) . Please note: Rose Bank Gardens are now managed by Malvern Town Council.
Route to the Hills
The Route to the Hills Plan provides a strategy to improve and enhance the two key areas of public open space in the centre of Great Malvern; Priory Park and Rose Bank Gardens.
In addition, the concept of a "Route to the Hills" linking the town of Great Malvern to the Malvern Hills, has been developed to strengthen the link between the town and the hills and maximising the economic and social benefits of the project.
Public Rights of Way
Public Rights of way include Bridleways, Footpaths and Byways. Worcestershire has approximately 7000 rights of way.
The Countryside Agency has published maps of Open Countryside and Registered Common Land in West England, which show areas where the public have a general right of access for the purposes of open-air recreation. View Worcestershire County Council map.
Rights of way and accessing land - GOV UK
Use of Drones on MHDC owned land
The flying of drones, on or over any Malvern Hills District Council owned land is not permitted without Council approval. Applications for the use of drones on or over Malvern Hills District Council land should be submitted to MHDC