AN ANCIENT woodland in Hockley is set to be gifted “to the people of Rochford” as part of a new £17.5million estate.

Housing firm Sanctuary Housing wants to build 72 new homes on the former Bullwood Prison site.

When they purchased the land, it included an area of woodland which is part of Hockley Woods, spanning 17 acres - approximately the size of eight football pitches - which is known for its rich wildlife and habitats.

Later this year this will ceremonially passing on ownership of the area to Rochford Council, for use by the community.

Craig Moule, Sanctuary Housing group chief executive, said: “What we hear loud and clear from our residents throughout the district of Rochford is that one of the best things about it is the close proximity to the beautiful Essex countryside.

“It gives us great pleasure to bestow this tranquil area of English woodland back to the people of Rochford and for it to be preserved in perpetuity for all to use.

“We look forward to the formal handing over ceremony later in the year.”

Situated opposite the development site, Hockley Woods is 321 acres in total and one of the largest remaining area of the wild wood, which was in place after the Ice Age 10,000 years ago.

A wide range of different varieties of trees adorn the woods, including English oak, sweet chestnut, birch, hornbeam, willow, hazel and ash.

Access to the woods is unrestricted and parts are sites of special scientific interest.

Many of the plants in the woods, such as the wild service tree, wood anemone, wood spurge and cow-wheat will only grow on the undisturbed soils of ancient woods.

The protected health fritillary butterfly can be seen by visitors to the wood too.

MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, Mark Francois slammed the housing provider as “dysfunctional, dismissive and unreliable” in parliament.