A DENGIE nature reserve will be “enhanced” to help encourage more rare species on to the site.

The Essex Wildlife Trust has submitted an application to carry out works at Blue House Farm in North Fambridge.

Works on part of the 260 hectare site, which is a site of special scientific interest, would lead to improved habitats for overwintering birds, breeding wading birds, water voles and other wetland species.

It would involve excavation, lowering an earth bank and creating a sluice to “re-wet” the area.

In the planning application The Essex Wildlife Trust said: “The site is well used by local people and this new development will enable them to see more wildlife from the existing sea wall footpath.

“This will give walkers great views over the newly restored coastal grazing marsh and will enable them to see large numbers of over wintering birds and breeding wading birds on the fields.

“It will restore an 18 hectare area of coastal grazing marsh which is a feature of the Essex coast and a biodiversity action plan habitat.

“We are enhancing all the coastal grazing marsh biodiversity action plan habitat that we are able to, which primarily depends on the sites topography.

“This will be the last area that we can re-wet as we can retain water on it without affecting neighbouring land.”

Footpaths at the site will remain as grass tracks and signage will be kept to a minimum.

The project is being funded by WREN and Natural England.

Work must be carried out between July 1 and October 31 to avoid the bird breeding season.

Last year the trust raised more than £100,000 to purchase additional land and provide a home for declining species.

Maldon District Council is expected to decide on the plans by mid August.