More Traffic, Wrong Location, Unsafe Malvern Roads
The Issue
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE - see *
Petition Objecting to the Relocation of The Downs and Day Nursery, Malvern College on the grounds of Road Safety and Traffic Impact
To: Malvern Hills District Council, Worcestershire Highways
TIME SENSITIVE... UPDATE ....NB THIS IS THE ONLINE VERSION we also have 243 paper signatures too
Malvern College have announced the proposed relocation of The Downs School in Colwall, with the aim of selling the existing site and moving to a newly constructed 280-capacity primary (prep) school and Day Nursery (and approx. 60 staff) within the residential Conservation Area of The Lees, Malvern
What We Are Asking For?
1. That the proposed relocation of The Downs, Malvern College Preparatory is paused until a full Transport Assessment and independent Road Safety Audit has been completed and published. If the assessments demonstrate that the negative effects cannot be fully addressed, then the proposals should be withdrawn.
2. That the Local Planning Authority requires the College to design the proposed scheme inaccordance with the ‘worst-case’ expected vehicle numbers and parking demand, to ensure that pedestrian safety, cycling routes, public transport access and the impact on nearby residential roads and arterial roads can be correctly assessed
3. That traffic and parking surveys are carried out during school drop-off and collectiontimes, including realistic assessment of peak congestion and parking behaviour.
4. That parents, carers, pupils, staff, residents, local businesses and road users are properly consulted on traffic, parking and safety concerns before any decision is made.
5. That alternatives to the Downs relocation are fully explored where they would avoid creating additional traffic pressure and road safety risks.
6. That no final decision is made until the community has had a fair opportunity to review the traffic evidence and respond.
Petition Statement The proposed 280 pupil prep school and day nursery would be expected to generate high volumes of traffic during the morning peak hours and during the afternoon school pick-up periods. Due to the nature of primary schools and nurseries, this traffic is likely to arrive and depart in high concentrations which would add to existing congestion on the local road network especially around the critical junctions of Thirlstane and College/Abbey Road. Road congestion is not just inconvenient to local residents and businesses but has an adverse effect on air quality and can contribute to a reduction in road safety Conventional traffic impact assessments only review junction capacity, but the congestion surrounding this proposed school will be caused by heavily parked narrow roads where there is insufficient space for two vehicles to pass. The additional traffic and parking associated with this proposal would therefore be expected to have an unacceptable impact on highway safety and a severe impact on the operation of the local road network. Furthermore, the environmental effects of the predicted congestion would have an adverse effect on residential amenity. An inefficient local highway network can also be harmful to the local economy, a fact that would be worsened by the construction of the school and nursery in this location.
Our key traffic safety areas of concern include: • Court Road/St Andrews Road Already severely impacted with the significant increase in housing in the past 5 years, a care home, combined with the existing primary, secondary school and Malvern College. The result made significantly worse by the recent ‘traffic calming’ measures at the junction of Court Road and Thirlstane Road • Abbey Road/Wells Road The parking arrangements for residents and Audsley Elleslie in Abbey Road is already a safety concern and risk. Access has become even more of an issue and particularly of concern with the current volume of traffic, let alone adding to it • Thirlstane Road/College Grove/The Lees Despite the plans to include some staff/parent parking, it is inevitable that there will be an increase in parking in these roads. As with previous College projects in which new builds were promised to provide sufficient parking (e.g. College Road boarding house) only to result in staff parking on the road, resulting in congestion and inevitable safety issues. With already narrow, steep gradients and bends to contend with, any additional parking will restrict visibility and traffic flow further.
Reasons for Objecting •
Road safety risks: More cars, congested local roads, turning vehicles and hurried drop-offs could increase danger for children, parents, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users, especially along Court Rd/ St Andrews Rd. • Increased congestion: Relocation could add significant vehicle movements (in the hundreds) at the busiest times of day, worsening queues and delays on roads near the proposed new site (Including the arterial access roads to the site; Court Road, St Andrews and Wells Road/Abbey Road) • Parking pressure The proposed car parking location for the new school seems totally unrealistic and impractical for drop-offs in adverse weather or parents who are in a hurry. Coupled with its parking capacity having insufficient access, inappropriate parking or drop- off spaces, it will inevitably lead to inconsiderate parking, blocked driveways, pavement parking and reduced visibility in the vicinity (as most primary schools/nurseries fall foul of). • Unsuitable local roads: Narrow residential streets, junctions, bends or limited pavements may be unable to cope safely with concentrated school traffic. Malvern is a network of old roads, with their steep gradients and bends, do not have the capacity for significant volumes of additional modern cars especially at key concentrated, peak times. Additional frequencies of larger vehicles (coaches and minibuses) for general primary school demands and sporting events will be inevitable, putting more pressure on our roads • Impact on walking and cycling: If routes to the new site are longer, busier or less safe, families may be discouraged from walking or cycling, increasing car dependency. • Emergency and resident access: Additional congestion and poor parking could obstruct access for residents, deliveries, refuse collection and emergency vehicles. • Air quality and noise: More idling vehicles and traffic queues near the school could increase emissions, noise and disturbance for pupils and residents – completely contradictory to the school’s policy (Go Green 2050) and the neighbouring ethos of a Conservation area. • Lack of traffic evidence: No relocation decision should be made without a detailed transport assessment, school travel plan and independent review of highway safety at peak school times. The figures have to be based on ‘worst-case’ scenario as per Local Planning Authority requirements.
What We Are Asking For?
1. That the proposed relocation of The Downs, Malvern College Preparatory is paused until a full Transport Assessment and independent Road Safety Audit has been completed and published. If the assessments demonstrate that the negative effects cannot be fully addressed, then the proposals should be withdrawn.
2. That the Local Planning Authority requires the College to design the proposed scheme inaccordance with the ‘worst-case’ expected vehicle numbers and parking demand, to ensure that pedestrian safety, cycling routes, public transport access and the impact on nearby residential roads and arterial roads can be correctly assessed
3. That traffic and parking surveys are carried out during school drop-off and collectiontimes, including realistic assessment of peak congestion and parking behaviour.
4. That parents, carers, pupils, staff, residents, local businesses and road users are properly consulted on traffic, parking and safety concerns before any decision is made.
5. That alternatives to the Downs relocation are fully explored where they would avoid creating additional traffic pressure and road safety risks.
6. That no final decision is made until the community has had a fair opportunity to review the traffic evidence and respond.
*UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE 25/10/26
A welcome step forward — and why we’re keeping the petition open
Thank you so much to everyone who has signed and shared this petition and helped bring local concerns to the council’s attention.
We welcome Malvern Hills District Council’s positive Environmental Impact Assessment screening decision: a finding that the proposal requires a full Environmental Impact Assessment (14/10/26). This is an important step towards the scrutiny this sensitive site deserves, although it does not settle the future of the development.
The process has demonstrated why residents were right to ask questions. Finally in his letter of 4 September, Savills’ Paul Rouse acknowledged that earlier information (on the application 2/7/26 and 17/7/26) about protected species had been “unintentionally misleading”. The letter acknowledges the veteran trees, planned removal of 15 trees and works affecting 27 root protection areas, that the site also falls within the Impact Risk Zones of two Sites of Special Scientific Interest. These newer descriptions of the development as “limited in scale”, referring to the building in isolation, must be considered against the need to assess the project as a whole, including associated works, traffic impacts and acknowledged effects on trees and wider ecology.
The MHDC ecologist’s statutory response highlights the site’s ecological sensitivity, and Worcestershire Highways’ letter raises concerns directly relevant to the traffic and road safety issues at the heart of this petition including the applicant’s assumptions about proposed crossings and traffic-calming measures.
We are keeping the petition open. New signatures are still coming in, and the applicant’s next steps remain uncertain. Whatever route is taken, the documents now on the public record provide an important basis for further scrutiny—including what was known, when it was identified, and when it was disclosed to the council. These questions remain relevant alongside the need for full environmental assessment and proper public consultation.
Residents have observed traffic monitoring on roads close to the proposed site, but any assessment MUST ALSO properly examine the wider APPROACH and DEPARTURE routes. Abbey Road, Court Road, St Andrews Road, College Road and Wells Road are central to our concerns and need proper assessment too. The petition and the concerns recorded by its supporters therefore remain important evidence of community concern as matters progress.
For anyone who would like to read more: the MHDC planning portal now has a great many submissions, but referred to here are...
Paul Rouse’s letter, 4 September 2026: https://plan.malvernhills.gov.uk/Document/Download?module=PLA&recordNumber=93738&planId=1357260&imageId=187&isPlan=False&fileName=McConville%20040926.pdf
Ecologist’s statutory response: https://plan.malvernhills.gov.uk/Document/Download?module=PLA&recordNumber=93738&planId=1365505&imageId=276&isPlan=False&fileName=Email-RE_%2026_01011_SCR%20-%20Malvern%20College.msg
Worcestershire Highways’ response: https://plan.malvernhills.gov.uk/Document/Download?module=PLA&recordNumber=93738&planId=1359598&imageId=228&isPlan=False&fileName=M-26-01011-SCR%20WCC%20Highways%20ISSUE.pdf
Please continue to share the petition.
Thank you for helping keep road safety, proper environmental assessment and the voice of the local community firmly on the agenda. We will update you when there is further news.
STAY UP TO DATE moving forwards...join out Priory Ward Area neighbours newsletter network
1,131
The Issue
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE - see *
Petition Objecting to the Relocation of The Downs and Day Nursery, Malvern College on the grounds of Road Safety and Traffic Impact
To: Malvern Hills District Council, Worcestershire Highways
TIME SENSITIVE... UPDATE ....NB THIS IS THE ONLINE VERSION we also have 243 paper signatures too
Malvern College have announced the proposed relocation of The Downs School in Colwall, with the aim of selling the existing site and moving to a newly constructed 280-capacity primary (prep) school and Day Nursery (and approx. 60 staff) within the residential Conservation Area of The Lees, Malvern
What We Are Asking For?
1. That the proposed relocation of The Downs, Malvern College Preparatory is paused until a full Transport Assessment and independent Road Safety Audit has been completed and published. If the assessments demonstrate that the negative effects cannot be fully addressed, then the proposals should be withdrawn.
2. That the Local Planning Authority requires the College to design the proposed scheme inaccordance with the ‘worst-case’ expected vehicle numbers and parking demand, to ensure that pedestrian safety, cycling routes, public transport access and the impact on nearby residential roads and arterial roads can be correctly assessed
3. That traffic and parking surveys are carried out during school drop-off and collectiontimes, including realistic assessment of peak congestion and parking behaviour.
4. That parents, carers, pupils, staff, residents, local businesses and road users are properly consulted on traffic, parking and safety concerns before any decision is made.
5. That alternatives to the Downs relocation are fully explored where they would avoid creating additional traffic pressure and road safety risks.
6. That no final decision is made until the community has had a fair opportunity to review the traffic evidence and respond.
Petition Statement The proposed 280 pupil prep school and day nursery would be expected to generate high volumes of traffic during the morning peak hours and during the afternoon school pick-up periods. Due to the nature of primary schools and nurseries, this traffic is likely to arrive and depart in high concentrations which would add to existing congestion on the local road network especially around the critical junctions of Thirlstane and College/Abbey Road. Road congestion is not just inconvenient to local residents and businesses but has an adverse effect on air quality and can contribute to a reduction in road safety Conventional traffic impact assessments only review junction capacity, but the congestion surrounding this proposed school will be caused by heavily parked narrow roads where there is insufficient space for two vehicles to pass. The additional traffic and parking associated with this proposal would therefore be expected to have an unacceptable impact on highway safety and a severe impact on the operation of the local road network. Furthermore, the environmental effects of the predicted congestion would have an adverse effect on residential amenity. An inefficient local highway network can also be harmful to the local economy, a fact that would be worsened by the construction of the school and nursery in this location.
Our key traffic safety areas of concern include: • Court Road/St Andrews Road Already severely impacted with the significant increase in housing in the past 5 years, a care home, combined with the existing primary, secondary school and Malvern College. The result made significantly worse by the recent ‘traffic calming’ measures at the junction of Court Road and Thirlstane Road • Abbey Road/Wells Road The parking arrangements for residents and Audsley Elleslie in Abbey Road is already a safety concern and risk. Access has become even more of an issue and particularly of concern with the current volume of traffic, let alone adding to it • Thirlstane Road/College Grove/The Lees Despite the plans to include some staff/parent parking, it is inevitable that there will be an increase in parking in these roads. As with previous College projects in which new builds were promised to provide sufficient parking (e.g. College Road boarding house) only to result in staff parking on the road, resulting in congestion and inevitable safety issues. With already narrow, steep gradients and bends to contend with, any additional parking will restrict visibility and traffic flow further.
Reasons for Objecting •
Road safety risks: More cars, congested local roads, turning vehicles and hurried drop-offs could increase danger for children, parents, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users, especially along Court Rd/ St Andrews Rd. • Increased congestion: Relocation could add significant vehicle movements (in the hundreds) at the busiest times of day, worsening queues and delays on roads near the proposed new site (Including the arterial access roads to the site; Court Road, St Andrews and Wells Road/Abbey Road) • Parking pressure The proposed car parking location for the new school seems totally unrealistic and impractical for drop-offs in adverse weather or parents who are in a hurry. Coupled with its parking capacity having insufficient access, inappropriate parking or drop- off spaces, it will inevitably lead to inconsiderate parking, blocked driveways, pavement parking and reduced visibility in the vicinity (as most primary schools/nurseries fall foul of). • Unsuitable local roads: Narrow residential streets, junctions, bends or limited pavements may be unable to cope safely with concentrated school traffic. Malvern is a network of old roads, with their steep gradients and bends, do not have the capacity for significant volumes of additional modern cars especially at key concentrated, peak times. Additional frequencies of larger vehicles (coaches and minibuses) for general primary school demands and sporting events will be inevitable, putting more pressure on our roads • Impact on walking and cycling: If routes to the new site are longer, busier or less safe, families may be discouraged from walking or cycling, increasing car dependency. • Emergency and resident access: Additional congestion and poor parking could obstruct access for residents, deliveries, refuse collection and emergency vehicles. • Air quality and noise: More idling vehicles and traffic queues near the school could increase emissions, noise and disturbance for pupils and residents – completely contradictory to the school’s policy (Go Green 2050) and the neighbouring ethos of a Conservation area. • Lack of traffic evidence: No relocation decision should be made without a detailed transport assessment, school travel plan and independent review of highway safety at peak school times. The figures have to be based on ‘worst-case’ scenario as per Local Planning Authority requirements.
What We Are Asking For?
1. That the proposed relocation of The Downs, Malvern College Preparatory is paused until a full Transport Assessment and independent Road Safety Audit has been completed and published. If the assessments demonstrate that the negative effects cannot be fully addressed, then the proposals should be withdrawn.
2. That the Local Planning Authority requires the College to design the proposed scheme inaccordance with the ‘worst-case’ expected vehicle numbers and parking demand, to ensure that pedestrian safety, cycling routes, public transport access and the impact on nearby residential roads and arterial roads can be correctly assessed
3. That traffic and parking surveys are carried out during school drop-off and collectiontimes, including realistic assessment of peak congestion and parking behaviour.
4. That parents, carers, pupils, staff, residents, local businesses and road users are properly consulted on traffic, parking and safety concerns before any decision is made.
5. That alternatives to the Downs relocation are fully explored where they would avoid creating additional traffic pressure and road safety risks.
6. That no final decision is made until the community has had a fair opportunity to review the traffic evidence and respond.
*UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE 25/10/26
A welcome step forward — and why we’re keeping the petition open
Thank you so much to everyone who has signed and shared this petition and helped bring local concerns to the council’s attention.
We welcome Malvern Hills District Council’s positive Environmental Impact Assessment screening decision: a finding that the proposal requires a full Environmental Impact Assessment (14/10/26). This is an important step towards the scrutiny this sensitive site deserves, although it does not settle the future of the development.
The process has demonstrated why residents were right to ask questions. Finally in his letter of 4 September, Savills’ Paul Rouse acknowledged that earlier information (on the application 2/7/26 and 17/7/26) about protected species had been “unintentionally misleading”. The letter acknowledges the veteran trees, planned removal of 15 trees and works affecting 27 root protection areas, that the site also falls within the Impact Risk Zones of two Sites of Special Scientific Interest. These newer descriptions of the development as “limited in scale”, referring to the building in isolation, must be considered against the need to assess the project as a whole, including associated works, traffic impacts and acknowledged effects on trees and wider ecology.
The MHDC ecologist’s statutory response highlights the site’s ecological sensitivity, and Worcestershire Highways’ letter raises concerns directly relevant to the traffic and road safety issues at the heart of this petition including the applicant’s assumptions about proposed crossings and traffic-calming measures.
We are keeping the petition open. New signatures are still coming in, and the applicant’s next steps remain uncertain. Whatever route is taken, the documents now on the public record provide an important basis for further scrutiny—including what was known, when it was identified, and when it was disclosed to the council. These questions remain relevant alongside the need for full environmental assessment and proper public consultation.
Residents have observed traffic monitoring on roads close to the proposed site, but any assessment MUST ALSO properly examine the wider APPROACH and DEPARTURE routes. Abbey Road, Court Road, St Andrews Road, College Road and Wells Road are central to our concerns and need proper assessment too. The petition and the concerns recorded by its supporters therefore remain important evidence of community concern as matters progress.
For anyone who would like to read more: the MHDC planning portal now has a great many submissions, but referred to here are...
Paul Rouse’s letter, 4 September 2026: https://plan.malvernhills.gov.uk/Document/Download?module=PLA&recordNumber=93738&planId=1357260&imageId=187&isPlan=False&fileName=McConville%20040926.pdf
Ecologist’s statutory response: https://plan.malvernhills.gov.uk/Document/Download?module=PLA&recordNumber=93738&planId=1365505&imageId=276&isPlan=False&fileName=Email-RE_%2026_01011_SCR%20-%20Malvern%20College.msg
Worcestershire Highways’ response: https://plan.malvernhills.gov.uk/Document/Download?module=PLA&recordNumber=93738&planId=1359598&imageId=228&isPlan=False&fileName=M-26-01011-SCR%20WCC%20Highways%20ISSUE.pdf
Please continue to share the petition.
Thank you for helping keep road safety, proper environmental assessment and the voice of the local community firmly on the agenda. We will update you when there is further news.
STAY UP TO DATE moving forwards...join out Priory Ward Area neighbours newsletter network
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Petition created on 13 July 2026