A group of residents are preparing to go into battle to stop wildlife being destroyed by a housing development.

Countryside Estates wants to build up to 66 prestigious homes on 11 acres of land around Etheldore Avenue and Wood Avenue in Hockley.

However, people living in the area do not want the development to go ahead because the land is rich with wildlife, including protected great crested newts and badgers.

Residents are also concerned the extra houses will add more pressure on Hockley's infrastructure of schools, doctors' surgeries and busy roads.

The planning application will go before Rochford District Council at a meeting in the Civic Suite in Hockley Road, Rayleigh, next Thursday night.

Although the developers have agreed to relocate the wildlife, environmental protesters feel the move will be damaging as it could be done too quickly.

Environmentalist Jon Cranfield said: "We are not against development but this will just be too big.

"We have made a recommendation to the council to stop the move being made too quickly otherwise the wildlife will suffer."

The developers plan to leave the pond where the great crested newts live but Jon is worried the houses will destroy their habitat.

Jon and local residents are doing their best to make sure as many people as possible know about the plans.

Carole Shorney, of Folly Lane, Hockley, said: "We have had 500 leaflets printed to give out to local residents."

Pat McMorran, of Plumberow Avenue, Hockley, is so enraged she has written to Rochford District Council.

She said: "There is every reason to oppose the current revised plans and any other plans for the development of this site.

"Hockley cannot sustain any more buildings, particularly a housing estate of the magnitude proposed.

"If planning law does not take account of inadequate social infrastructure, then there is something seriously wrong with the law."

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