Maldon District Council (MDC) will vote on plans to improve the wetland habitat at Blue House Farm next week.

MDC planning officers have recommended approval of the application, submitted by Essex Wildlife Trust, to enhance the Round Marsh wetland at the site in North Fambridge.

The proposal involves deepening the site in three locations through a wetland scrape, constructing a raised walkway to a viewing platform, adding a base for a future hide to watch wildlife and new banks to minimise disturbance to wildlife.

The plans also include creating new areas above the waterline using excavated soil for roosting and nesting birds and installing a 2km long and 6ft high anti-predator fence, costing approximately £115,000, to replace the existing.

Officers said: "The proposal would result in enhancements in relation to nature conservation."

They said that it is "considered to be acceptable in principle and would not cause harm to the character or appearance of the area or the amenity of local residents".

There were no objections raised regarding the impact of the works on flood risk, drainage or highway safety, access and parking.

The trust brought forward the proposals earlier than initially planned, after being given the green light by MDC in May to create a 20 hectares wetland habitat for wildfowl and waders at the reserve.

A spokesperson for the trust said: "The second area of work was due to be delivered later in the site management's plan period, but the decision was made that, funding permitting, a second application should be made to allow all of the enhancements to be executed in one delivery season, rather than being spread out over a number of years."

The trust hopes that the proposal will add to site-wide work to improve wetland habitats for wildlife, particularly wading and waterfowl bird species which are a species of conservation concern in the UK.

MDC's north western area planning committee will make the final decision on Wednesday, 8 September.