MALVERN people are being invited to visit the Army base which could become the town's major focus for development in the future.

The MoD is to sell off the 47-acre North Site, off Yates Hay Road, North Malvern, a former radar establishment later occupied by the Army Technical Support Agency (ATSA). It has been identified by the district council as one of the major brownfield development opportunities in the town.

Jo Pocock, a senior planner at the council, said: "The site appears to be capable of being used for housing and employment, possibly a mix of both. Any development will need to have regard to local community needs such as education facilities, shops and open space.

"The visit will enable the public to gain knowledge of the nature of the site, as an aid to their consideration of future redevelopment proposals."

Two tours of the site are available on Thursday, July 19, at 4pm and 5.15pm. To book a place, call either Bernie Smith on 01684 862325 and Jo Pocock on 01684 862341, no later than Tuesday, July 17.

MHDC is preparing its next local plan, which will set out the framework for development in the district over the next decade. North Site has been earmarked for up to 350 houses and 24 acres of business development.

ATSA is relocating to Andover.