PLANS for the future development of the QinetiQ site received the green light this week.

At a meeting on Wednesday, Malvern Hills District Council’s southern area planning committee voted unanimously to approve an application to build up to 300,000 square feet of commercial buildings on the east side of the site, bordering Britten Drive and the Chase school, with its access off Longridge Road.

Members also gave the go-ahead to plans for up to 310 new houses and a 66-bed care home on a different part of the site, off St Andrew’s Road.

Access to the housing would be off St Andrew’s Road and Longridge Road, with the latter access shared with the commercial development.

Cllr Samantha Charles, who represents the Chase ward where the developments are proposed, backs the plans.

She said: “This site is allocated for this development in the South Worcestershire Development Plan, and also very importantly, in the Malvern Neighbourhood Plan and by Malvern Town Council itself.”

Cllr Natalie McVey said: “I welcome the creation of high-skilled jobs; this is very positive news for the Malvern Hills.”

The plans, which have been under development for several years, come after most of the staff at QinetiQ’s Malvern site have been moved into newer buildings to the north of the site.

The area is currently occupied by empty office and industrial buildings, previously part of QinetiQ and its government predecessors such as the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment. These buildings are set to be demolished under the new proposals.