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Myth-busters

We’ve noticed that a number of incorrect statements have been made about the Malvern Hills Bill.

Some of the most misleading ones are summarised below together with a short correction. 

For more information see our FAQs or get in touch with us via info@malvernhills.org.uk

Key Topics

  1. Rights to access
  2. The Bill / Governance

Rights to access

Myth 1: The proposals will give powers to fence off the commons and restrict public access.

This is not true. We will be maintaining all existing access rights.

Securing the grazed commons will not prevent public access and does not mean we will be fencing along the roads which cross the common – they are part of the common – but will ensure that the grazing continues in line with our purposes which help to maintain the open and accessible nature of the Trust’s land.

 

Myth 2: The proposals will lead to a loss of green space, the selling off of Trust land and building and development on the Hills (for example solar panels).

These things are not true. The Trust’s charitable objectives are to keep the land open and unbuilt upon.  We cannot sell or build on land which is public open space. See FAQ number 8.

 

Myth 3: People will be charged to access the Hills.

This is not true. One of our core charitable objectives is to keep the land open for public recreation.

The Bill / Governance

Myth 4: The Malvern Hills Trust is a Public Body

No, the Malvern Hills Trust is not a public body. This has recently been confirmed in the House of Lords in answer to two parliamentary questions.

 

Myth 5: The Trust will be spending over £1 million on the Bill.

This is not true. The Trust will have to increase its initial budget for legal costs of £386,000 to just over £450,000 partly because of the number of individual petitions lodged against the Bill. See FAQ number 20.

 

Myth 6: The General Power will allow the Trust to act without restriction.

This is not true. The General Power could only be used to further the Trust’s work in pursuance of its charitable objectives. It could not be used for, e.g., increasing the levy, granting easements or becoming a commercial entity. See FAQ number 7.

 

Myth 7: The proposals will allow the Trust to grant easements.

This is not true.  There will be no change to the existing powers to grant easements. See FAQ number 9.

 

Myth 8: The proposals will mean that the right to elect trustees will be removed.

This is not true. Those who currently have the right to vote will still have the right to elect trustees to the Board.

 

Myth 9: The proposals will allow the Trust to ban the public from trustee meetings.

This is not true. All meetings at which decisions are made will remain open to the public unless confidential or legal matters are to be discussed. 

 

Myth 10: The proposals will allow the Trust to become a commercial entity.          

This is not true.  The Trust is a registered charity therefore it cannot operate for commercial purposes.