Environmental bosses say they are “pleased” new plans to turn a Heybridge gravel pit into a fishing lake will protect animal habitats.

Jim Purdy has applied to Maldon District Council to allow the lakes at the gravel pit in Hall Road to be used for fishing.

The proposals would allow a fishing club to be founded on the site, with a maximum of 80 members.

An initial application submitted in 2016 wanted the lakes to be used for fishing with 60 fishing platforms constructed and 54 “swims” created.

That was refused by the council, after they received more than 200 let- ters objecting to the plans, including many from campaign group Friends of Heybridge Gravel Pits.

The Environment Agency also objected to the previous application after concerns the bid would increase the likelihood of protected species, including water vole, badgers and reptiles, being disturbed.

However this time Natalie Kermath, planning advisor for the Environment Agency, said they had no objection to the new proposal.

A letter stated: “We are pleased to see that this application does not include the creation of intrusive swims and platforms and that as a result there will be no habitat loss”.

Her letter said the agency would be asking for two conditions to be put in place.

It said: “Fishing must only take place along the north east shore (parallel with the Chelmer and Blackwater Canal) observing the 80m no fishing buffer zone either side of the important wildlife habitat of Long Island.

“There must be signs erected with marker posts to indicate where fishing is permitted and the location of exclusion zones.

“A warden or bailiff with a good understanding of wildlife and associated sympathetic management must be employed.”

The decision not to object increases the likelihood of the alternative application being successful this time.

However Maldon District Council’s environmental health team has objected to the bid.

The officers cite noise concerns, saying its comments issued back in 2016 still apply.

Paul Pearse, environmental health technician, said: “As we have not had any new information we stand by these comments.

“Without a noise impact assessment and an indication of how the site will be managed to prevent an impact on the amenity of the nearby residential properties we cannot comment further.

“Until we have further information we can only consider that the site is not suitable for its end use because of the risk of noise.”

It is not clear how much noise the council is expecting from the fishing but an assessment may be needed.

The application has been called in by councillor Ian Dobson to be decided in April.