A FORMER prison is set to be turned into a large estate.

Bullwood Hall Prison, on Bullwood Hall Lane, Hockley, has been closed since 2013, and planning officers have now recommended plans to build 72 homes for approval.

The prison was once the only prison located in South Essex.

Planning permission to build 60 homes on the site was granted in January 2016, but these plans now look to add an additional 12 homes to the plan.

Parts of the site have already been demolished.

Although residents admitted it is only logical for the site to be built on, concerns were raised over the effect on infrastructure in an already growing village like Hockley.

George Groves, 52, of Heycroft Road, Hockley, said: “I knew they had been demolishing and there were plans, but I was not aware of specifics.

“As far as I am concerned, it is not a massive issue, the space is there and should be used, but the only issue is how it will affect the traffic and the strain on our infrastructure.

“With all these new homes we are losing our village community feel.

“The building is relentless at the moment, and it is because the government has set these rigid targets that every area must meet.

“Hockley has such a nice area, but it is losing that rural feel.”

And roads are not the only issue, with Mr Groves always raising concerns over already packed trains.

He said; “If it was up to me, I would say why can’t we build a new school, or a doctor’s surgery in there?

“A new dentist perhaps. Something that will relieve the stress our services are under at the moment.

“Something that would actually make a positive change in the area.

“I regularly speak to people who commute into London, and they are always saying of they get a train after half seven in the morning, then they will never get a seat.

“It is an ongoing issue, and is not showing signs of improving.”

The plans will see 72 homes built, consisting of 14, five-bedroom homes, 13, four-bedroom homes, 18, three -bedroom homes, nine, two-bed homes, nine, two-bedroom apartments and nine, one-bedroom apartments.