Councillors are being advised to approve plans for a nine-turbine windfarm when they meet to discuss it this week.

Energy firm Ridgewind has planned the Middlewick Windfarm on land between Middlewick and Wraywick Farms, about 3km east of Southminster.

The scheme has met with fierce local opposition, but planning officers at Maldon District Council have advised councillors on its south-eastern area planning committee to approve the plans when they meet on Monday.

However, the application will still have to go through the council’s planning and licensing committee, and possibly the full council, before permission is granted.

The scheme includes nine wind turbines, which will be 125m high, and associated infrastructure such as access tracks and a substation building.

Campaign group Siege has been fighting against the windfarm, and the council has been inundated with hundreds of letters both in support and against the application.

A petition with 39 signatures has also been presented in objection to the scheme, and 15 parish councils have registered an objection including Southminster Parish Council.

A report published by planning officers said that £1.35 million had been pledged to the local community over the lifespan of the windfarm, should it be built.

The report also said the new Government “actively supports energy from renewable sources, including both on-shore and off-shore wind to tackle climate change”.

In addition, it added: “The need for providing renewable energy, on balance, outweighs any harm caused as a result of the windfarm development.

“The windfarm, once operational, would provide wider benefits to the district and beyond through the production of electricity from a renewable energy source to supply homes and business in the district.”

Energy giants have targeted the Dengie, with two other proposed windfarms currently going through the planning system.

One, at Hockley Farm in Bradwell, has been approved although campaigners Battle (Bradwell and Tillingham Tackling Lost Environment) are seeking a judicial review of the decision by a Government inspector last year.

A proposed seven-turbine scheme at Burnham Marshes is also proposed, although a full application has yet to be submitted.