MALVERN’S ambitious growth plan is putting the area on the fast track to success with more companies committed to creating new jobs for local people, according to West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin.

Her comments followed a visit to the area by business secretary Sajid Javid, who called at Malvern Hills Science Park and QinetiQ as part of a fact-finding trip.

Mrs Baldwin added: "Throughout the summer, I have been meeting businesses planning to take on more staff and grow locally. It is clear that we are close to capacity at the moment and we badly need to invest in creating yet more office space to give each of these companies room to grow. The new building work at the Science Park will offer us some extra capacity next year but it is clear that we must develop a plan to generate more space for our local entrepreneurs. There are plans to develop the QinetiQ site and create some more employment land there and brownfield site development is the right way to go.

“It was great to see my colleague Sajid Javid visiting Malvern and I am glad that the message is getting back to Government that the town is at the heart of delivering growth for Worcestershire and the UK.”