PLANS to invest millions in Malvern and create jobs and housing over the next five years have been approved by councillors.

Councillors voted on approving Malvern Hills District Council's five-year plan, which details the action plans for three key areas: communities, the environment and the economy.

The plans include delivering affordable housing in line with the South Worcestershire Development Plan, improving the health and wellbeing of Malvern residents, and supporting local communities.

One of the targets set to enable the health and wellbeing requirements was an investment of up to £10million in new facilities and open space provision, including play areas and playing pitches across the district by 2025.

In addition, the £2 million revamp of the Malvern Splash was also included in the plans, which were voted on at the full meeting of the council on January 28.

READ MORE: Plans for £2 million revamp of Malvern Splash

Also included in the plan was making land available to create more than 100 new jobs through Phase 6 and beyond of Malvern Hills Science and Technology Park by 2025.

Leader of the Conservative group on the council, Jeremy Owenson, said the plans showed a "lack of ambition" saying: "I am concerned that having gained power, the Green led Lib Dem alliance have realised they do not have any policy ideas, for the plan seems to pull forward most of the Conservative plan from last year.

"I get the impression the Greens and Lib Dems sit around in Priory Park creating fairy-chains of 'woke' policies, trying to out virtue signal each other."

The council updated its five year plan following last year's local elections, and the plan was built on more than 1,000 responses from residents.

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In response to Cllr Owenson's comments, leader of the council Sarah Rouse said: "It is a shame you did not come to the council roadshows and put forward your ideas there."

The plan also includes infrastructure improvements such as the delivery of key transport infrastructure projects including improving traffic flow to the west and north-west of Worcester as well as improving services by rail and encouraging cycling through the three counties cycle link.

Councillors unanimously improved the five year plan in addition to the council's carbon reduction plan and 2020-25 business plan.