A rare bumble bee has been found living next door to a Canvey superstore - and could halt development of a large swathe of land.

The shrill carder bee is under threat of extinction, but the elusive insect has now been sighted on the former Occidental refinery land next to Safeway.

The land is earmarked for development, but Labour councillor Dave Blackwell and environmental consultant Roger Payne are hoping the area will be given special protection.

The discovery of the bee comes just months after rare southern marsh orchids and marble white butterflies were found on the same stretch of land.

Mr Blackwell, who is also chairman of the Castle Point Council Wildlife Group, said: "This land might be one of the most important areas in Great Britain.

"It should be on the Government's top list of areas to protect before these rare flowers and insects become extinct.

"There are plants and animals living on the land which are alien to Canvey because when they were trying to build up the land they imported sand from other parts of the country. We therefore have an area of sand dunes which are unique in Essex."

The shrill carder bumble bee can only survive in wide open spaces filled with grasses and unfortunately these areas are disappearing.

The bee, along with the rare adonis ladybird, are fortunate to have found the wasteland on Canvey with the flowers and grasses which they need to feed off.

Mr Payne said: "There is so much development and use of land for arable farming that wild areas are just disappearing.

"These bees and other insects need flowers late in the year and unfortunately with all the neatness and tidiness around there are just are no late flowering weeds.

"We must try and protect the few habitats we have left in this part of Essex."

Safeway is planning to sell the land for non-retail development. Mr Blackwell said he hoped to discuss what to do with the land with Safeway bosses.

He said: "In another part of the country a single insect stopped a development so it can be done. This land is precious and we should protect it."

Rare breed - the shrill carder bee

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