A campaign to protect rare bees in Greenwich Ecology Park has created a national buzz.

Plans to build a 13-storey tower block overlooking the multi-million pound habitat home to dozens of rare animals have concerned wildlife enthusiasts.

An application has been submitted to Greenwich Council that campaigners say would change the ecosystem at the ecology park, causing trouble for the rare animals who live there.

Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green Party, has now taken to Twitter to rally support to “keep the park sunny.”

Mrs Lucas said: “Greenwich Peninsula Ecology park is a precious oasis and we shouldn’t have to choose between more housing and protecting green spaces – we can do both.”

The next phase of on-going developments for Peartree Way was submitted to the council last month by Greenwich Millennium Village, which proposes a 13-storey tower next to the precious marshland.

In 2016, a rare species of bee was discovered in the small park – the Viper’s Bugloss Mason Bee – which aren’t thought to be anywhere else in the country other than the converted brownfield site in Greenwich.

Concerns have been raised that the tower would impact on the ecosystem, changing the temperature and be detrimental to the rare habitat.

A spokeswoman for Friends of Greenwich Peninsula Eco Park said: "We would like to thank Greenwich residents for their amazing support - they have  really taken the Ecology Park to their hearts.  It's time that  Greenwich Council and the developers   listened to local people, because the massage is clear - don't ruin our Park by building this tower block.

"The eco park is a green oasis for so many people as well as for some rare and endangered wildlife. 

"We have visitors from across the world who come to study how so many habitats can be created in such a small area.  It is unique and it must be protected."  

A petition, which now has more than 1,130 signatures, says: “The park is an essential haven for the local community.

“It provides invaluable educational experiences for the general public and students of all abilities and ages, who enjoy this unique natural oasis in a high density urban area. There is nothing else like it.

“Please help us to show Greenwich Council that they need to stop this development happening before it is too late.”

Original visions for the tower had it as high as 20 storeys, but the developers dropped that following consultations to just 13 storeys and 66 new homes.

A Greenwich Millennium Village London spokesman said: “We undertook a wide-ranging consultation in 2017 for the detailed design of plot 201; a 20-storey tower already approved as part of the Greenwich Millennium Village masterplan.

“In response to comments from local residents, the council and ecology park campaigners, an extensive re-design was undertaken, significantly reducing the building in height and massing. These changes, presented in February 2018, were received much more positively.

“Having revised the plans, it is important to balance the loss of new homes with the impact on the ecology park which we understand is important.

“We will continue to work with all interested parties to ensure the successful delivery of this project.”

The application is currently being reviewed by council officers.

The petition can be found here.