TWO sites in Malvern have been nominated in a campaign to find the worst wasted spaces in Britain.

A former garage site in Worcester Road, Malvern Link, and a field area in Lower Howsell, Malvern, have been nominated for the project.

The Wasted Space? campaign was launched by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) last month.

Alison Pickford, aged 56, of Malvern University of the Third Age, voted for the Worcester Road site, which is in a conservation area.

The garage was sold to German company Lidl about four years ago, which was refused planning permission in 2001 to demolish it and build a supermarket.

Ms Pickford, of Merrick Road, Malvern, said it would benefit the community if a village hall was built on the site.

"It's an eyesore and we've got enough supermarkets in Malvern," she said.

"The idea of having a village hall there is something I thought in passing, as we have a problem finding affordable meeting rooms in Malvern."

"It's very sad to see that site in its current state," said Councillor John Raine, chairman of Malvern District Council's planning committee.

"It's not in great trouble, but it's looking pretty weedy and desolate and it would be nice to see it improved.

"On the other hand, we've got to get it right as achieving the right balance in the conservation area is important."

The field area surrounded by Lower Howsell Road, Summerfield Road and Duke of Edinburgh Way, in Malvern, owned by the Madresfield estate, has also been nominated.

It was used for allotments and a pub, which has since been demolished, and part of the area is allocated in the district' council's local plan as open space.

Planning permission was refused for part of the area to be used for housing about 10 years ago and suggestions for its use include a play area, woodlands and a wildlife reserve.

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"The area is one of the vital green lungs around Malvern and I think it should remain as open space," said Coun Clive Smith, councillor for Malvern Link.

CABE has received more than 1,000 nominations for its campaign since it was launched.

People can register nominations online at: www.wasted space.org.uk, or write, with a photograph of the space, to: Wasted Space? PO Box 42577, London, E1 6WH.