WILDLIFE and habitats along Maldon district's extensive coastline are set to benefit from a scheme aimed at helping balance out the effects of new development.

A partnership of 12 local councils, including Maldon District, will aim to make the best use of around £8.9million collected in fees from developers from 2018 to 2038.

The cash is to help mitigate the effects of new housing and other building work by establishing new land management projects. It is hoped these will help combat the negative effects of new development on crucial natural habitats.

The size and nature of Maldon district's coastal areas means it stands to benefit from the partnership, which will be led and managed by Chelmsford City Council.

A new post will be created to help deliver the scheme and its success will be monitored by Essex Coastal Forum, which includes representation from Maldon District Council.

Maldon District Council has agreed to sign up to the project, called the Essex Coast RAMS (Recreation Disturbance Avoidance Mitigation), following a public consultation in January. The council has put a limit of £2,000 on contributions to setting up the partnership in its first year.

But the proposed development of a nuclear power station at Bradwell, should it go ahead, will be looked at separately by the council after members agreed that the scale and nature of the plan would require extra focus.

Independent Councillor Stephen Nunn said at a full council meeting last Thursday (6 August): "What greater disturbance could there be than the work that's being proposed at Bradwell?

"We need our own plan for the Maldon area for that. Never mind disturbance, this is destruction."