THE Defence Evaluation and Research Agency has announced its partners for major redevelopment of its sites, including Malvern.

Last month DERA submitted plans for three new buildings on its 60-acre site off St Andrew's Road.

The plan is the first stage in a major initiative which is set to change the face of the DERA campus.

Numerous prefabricated office and lab buildings are set to be torn down and replaced with high-tech facilities.

This week DERA announced the appointment of three strategic partners for its nationwide redevelopment plan.

They are firstly AMEC plc, secondly a consortium of John Mowlem, Crest Nicholson and the Royal Bank of Scotland, and thirdly a partnership of Warings Contractors and Countryside Properties.

The new partnerships are in line with Government initiatives to improve the way it does business with the construction industry.

"DERA is confident that this new team-based approach will bring significant benefits in terms of cost, quality and delivery time," said a spokesman.

It is now yet known which of the three will be working on the Malvern project, should it go ahead.

Malvern Town Council's planning and transportation committee was last night (Thursday) due to discuss the DERA plans.

Malvern Hills District Council will have the chance to discuss the scheme in due course.