THE Vision 21 initiative to shape the future of the Malvern Hills area over the next 10 years will be launched next week.

It takes the form of a 'vision vehicle' which will tour the district acting as a mobile forum for people to express their views on the best way forward.

Community meetings will also be held in venues including village halls and questionnaires will be posted through every letterbox in the district.

The vehicle and public meetings will be staffed by members of the Malvern Hills Partnership, an alliance of businesses, community groups and organisations drawn together by Malvern Hills District Council.

This was formed in response to a Government directive to local authorities to draw up blueprints for the short-term future.

Research by Malvern Hills Primary Care Group showed that the average age of the local population is to increase twice as rapidly as the national figure.

So debate will be along the lines of whether more initiatives, policies and measures should be introduced to change this, or whether people are happy to let it take its course.

Questions will also attempt to gauge how important people think issues such as affordable housing, employment opportunities, healthcare provision and the environment are.

"I think it's very important that people take part," said Maggie Bryan, for Malvern Hills District Council, which is co-ordinating the project. It's crucial for an area like ours, where people care passionately about where they live and what they want for their area."

When the consultation is complete, the final results will go before the Malvern Hills Partnership in time for a strategy to be formulated in July.

The vision bus begins its tour on Tuesday, Janaury 22, when it will be in Longdon and Castlemorton.

For full details see Friday's (January 18) Malvern Gazette.