A property developer has said that he is ‘100%’ going to resubmit his planning application for Heybridge gravel pits after his first application was deemed invalid.

Jim Purdy applied to change the use of the gravel pits to allow fishing in March 2013.

Mr Purdy, 58, a demolition contracter, of Maldon Road, said: ”At the moment any Tom, Dick or Harry will fish in the lake and I can’t stop them.

“I want to make it a lake where only members can fish, they will look after it, keep it free from rubbish and stop kids driving cars round it.”

An Essex Wildlife Trust spokesman said: “We would definitely be objecting to this application and will actively campaign against it.

“The site is home to internationally protected species such as the blacktailed godwit and would be seriously disturbed."