Malvern Hills Bill [HL]

Lord Hampton Excerpts

2nd reading
Wednesday 4th June 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hampton (CB)]

My Lords, in speaking in the gap, I apologise for not putting my name down. I did not think that I was going to have time, but it turns out that I do. I must also declare an interest that I grew up within sight of the Malvern Hills and I went to school in Malvern Link and in Malvern Wells.

The noble Baroness, Lady Thornhill, slightly took the wind out of my sails by quoting my father, but I will quote a little more of what he said at Second Reading on 8 March 1993:

“I love the hills as they are and I do not anticipate with pleasure any major change. I have not followed the arguments in the Malvern Gazette as carefully as perhaps I should have done. I was first alerted to the proposals by someone who said that the Malvern Hills conservators were seeking considerable extra powers to build houses, offices and warehouses, to make roads and to fence areas off”.


I will, if I may, also quote my cousin, Baroness Macleod, in the same debate:

“However, my noble friend will know that if the Bill goes through in its present form it is possible, and even probable, that the Malvern Hills will be ruined forever. That is one of my reasons for putting down the Instruction to the Committee. Worcestershire is the most lovely county and the Malvern Hills the most beautiful range of hills in the country … I start with Clause 3, which is the first clause that matters. It would empower the conservators to change the face of the Malvern Hills forever. They would have the power to build a McDonald’s, a Little Chef, and fish and chip shops. All of those eating places are welcome in the right place, but not on the Malvern Hills”.—[Official Report, 8/3/1993; cols. 864-70.]


We had dire predictions in 1993 but, when I was there last, the Malvern Hills were as beautiful as ever. There is always a suspicion of change when anything comes in but, as it is, this seems a very sensible Bill.