Malvern College is facing opposition from local residents over plans to develop a former home of composer Edward Elgar into a new preparatory school facility. The £20,000-a-term boarding school has submitted proposals to construct a single-storey building, multi-use games area, tennis court, play spaces, car parking, and footpaths on a 9.6-acre site in Malvern, Worcestershire—an area designated as one of outstanding natural beauty and located within a conservation zone.

The redevelopment is part of the school’s preparation to accommodate students from the Downs Malvern, a linked prep school planning to relocate from the nearby village of Colwall next summer. Downs Malvern cited financial challenges, including the introduction of VAT on private school fees, as factors in its decision to move.

Several residents have raised concerns about the scale and environmental impact of the project. Stephen Farmer, an engineer living in the town, criticized what he described as an attempt by the school to circumvent proper planning procedures. He expressed worries about building in a conservation area and the potential loss of green spaces used by wildlife and local dog walkers. “If it’s a conservation area why would you be allowed to build a giant modern building?” Farmer said.

Mike Winthrop, a retired engineer residing next to the proposed site, highlighted the expected increase in traffic and noise from a new car park planned for construction at the end of his road. He noted that parking is already limited and raised concerns about disruption to the local environment, which is home to rare species of animals and birds. “The more road users and people, the more disruption this causes,” Winthrop said.

The school’s submitted plans specify that the new building will have an internal floorspace of 1,525 square meters and will not exceed six meters (nearly 20 feet) in height. The project also includes external works to 7 The Lees, Elgar’s residence in 1889, involving the demolition of a small observatory, a double garage, and three storage buildings.

Malvern College has requested guidance from Malvern Hills District Council regarding whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required for the development. Should the council determine that an EIA is unnecessary, the school intends to proceed under permitted development rights rather than submitting a full planning application.

Opposition letters submitted to the council have argued that the proposed construction would alter the character of the conservation area and harm local wildlife. One resident, Adrian Pearson, noted that permitted development rights are typically more restrictive in conservation areas, especially concerning modifications that affect the external appearance of buildings. He emphasized that the new school building would negatively affect the open green space and the neighborhood’s character.

A spokesperson for Malvern College said the school has maintained ongoing dialogue with residents since the plans were first shared in June 2025. They described the development as a long-term investment in the future of education in Malvern and underscored the school’s role as one of the town’s largest employers. The spokesperson added that the college has worked closely with planning, environmental, regulatory, and legal advisers, and that environmental factors will continue to be carefully evaluated.

Malvern Hills District Council confirmed it has received the request regarding the need for an environmental impact assessment and is currently considering the matter.