TENBURY Town Council will need to change its approach to planning to have its voice heard.

Eric Hudson, who chairs the council’s planning committee, said that a number of ideas for changes have come from a meeting with planning officials from Malvern Hills District Council.

“We need to give clear recommendation for or against to carry any weight,” he said. “It is also very important to engage with our local district councillors.”

Tenbury Town Council does not have the final say on planning applications in the town because Malvern Hills District Council is the planning authority.

However, the town council does get consulted in advance of decisions being made. The town council has become concerned that not enough notice is being taken of its views.

Councillor Hudson said advice had been given that whenever possible the council should try to meet with developers to try to shape schemes before applications are made.

Tony Penn, who represents Tenbury on Malvern Hills District Council where he chairs the Northern Area Planning Committee, said that he and his fellow district councillor Phil Grove are keen to work with the town councillors.