A £6m expansion plan for Malvern Hills Science Park, with a new high-tech energy saving building on the Malvern site, could be given the go-head tonight.

It will be the third phase of development since the Science Park was started in 1998 in Geraldine Road, on land belonging to the Ministry of Defence/DERA site, now QinetiQ.

The park is part of a high technology corridor from Birmingham to Malvern and is home to 16 companies, employing about 180 staff.

The new building will allow some of these to grow, providing larger laboratory units as well as start-up space for small companies.

"At present our smallest company consists of one person and our largest has about 26, but there are limits to how much anyone can expand here at the moment," said Science Park manager Nigel Shaw.

"Two expanding companies are leaving the site, but staying in the area, Simply Names at Enigma Park, Malvern, and Cellpharm at Hanley Swan."

Malvern Hills economic development officers are backing the development plan, saying it will ensure the area continues to attract world class, innovative businesses.

The proposed glass and green panel building, with a floor area of 3,000 square metres, will have a central tower and two wings, with vertical sails to control sunlight and regulate heating.

Using new technology to create sustainable energy, it will rely on deep tube geothermic heating and cooling, without harmful emissions.

The plans include a £500,000 package of proposals to reduce the impact of extra traffic in Geraldine Road and Barnards Green, including road improvements, traffic calming and two puffin crossings, together with a £90,000 contribution towards the development of a cycle path network.

"About 85 per cent of the money for this project will come from various grant funds and the remainder will be raised by the Science Park, which is owned by the district and county councils and the Chamber of Commerce," said Mr Shaw.

Planning officers are recommending the plans for approval by a Malvern Hills planning committee tonight.