A PIECE of land in Malvern Link has been nominated as one of the country's worst wasted spaces in a national campaign.

The land, next to Lower Howsell Road, was nominated by local residents for the Wasted Space? Campaign, being run by CABE Space, a branch of the Commission for Architec- ture and the Built Environment (CABE).

The campaign was launched on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on September 17 and invited the public to vote via an internet site for the space they think is most neglected in their area.

The empty site on Lower Howsell Road, which used to be home to the Carpenter's Arms pub, has been the subject of debate over several years.

Plans to develop the land, belonging to the Trustees of Madresfield Estate, were put forward in 2001.

Bovis Homes wanted to redevelop the site and a large area of neighbouring land for housing, but failed to win planning permission after objections from both Malvern Town Council and Worcestershire County Council.

Since then the site has remained unused.

If the land does turn out to be one of the competition 'winners', CABE Space, together with other organisations, would then work with local bodies to tackle the selected sites and try to turn them into positive, safe areas.

A spokesman for Cabe Space said: "If the space is chosen, our experts will come in to advise local bodies as to the best way of developing the space. We will advise them on the grants available to them, such as the Living Spaces Fund, which can provide up to £100,000.

"We will not come in and take over the area and give it a makeover, but we will advise groups on how to revitalise the space."

Peter Hughes, of the Madresfield Estate, said: "It has become a neglected piece of land but it is not forgotten. The Trustees are waiting for the Local Plan to come out to see what will happen to it.

"I was not aware of this competition and obviously, as it is privately owned, the organisers would need to consult the Trustees before doing anything."

The results of the campaign will be announced later this month.