Essex Wildlife Trust has brought forward proposals to improve its established wetland habitat earlier than initially planned.

The reserve, in North Fambridge, was given the green light in May to create a 20 hectares wetland habitat for wildfowl and waders.

Under its latest planning application, submitted to Maldon District Council, the trust seeks to enhance the Round Marsh wetland.

It hopes to deepen a 22 hectares wetland scrape in three areas of the wetland, construct a raised walkway to a viewing platform, add 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.

An Essex Wildlife Trust spokesperson 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.

The final decision will be made by Maldon District Council. If the council approves, the work is expected to start in September or October to avoid impacting nesting birds.

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