A campaign to save Britain’s biggest concentration of nightingales from the threat of a housing development is gaining support.

Within a fortnight more than 2,000 people have signed a petition to reject the construction of 21 homes close to an important bird habitat on the Hoo Peninsula.

It comes as Longfield-based Esquire Developments looks to go to appeal, after its plans for Chattenden were rejected by Medway council last December.

They were voted down on the grounds they posed a threat to a nationally-protected bird sanctuary nearby at Lodge Hill, which hosts 85 nightingale territories - the biggest in a single area of the UK.

It is also a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

The nightingale is a declining species, as their habitats have gradually deteriorated over the decades.

A protected species, they nest close to ground level making them vulnerable to predators.

Objections to the plans were also raised by the RSPB, Natural England and the Kent Wildlife Trust.

At the time, the developers suggested some possible mitigation measures, such as banning cats on the development, but this was deemed to be unenforceable.

Earlier this month, Esquire Developments launched an appeal against the decisions.

In response, independent councillor Michael Pearce set up the petition and asked for people to make clear they wanted this area protected from development.

The petition says the impact of the development would greatly harm wildlife nearby and calls for the appeals to be dismissed.

In a statement, Cllr Pearce said: "Surprisingly, Esquire has actually accepted that the development cannot fully mitigate its impact.

“Applying National Planning Policy (NPPF), when it comes to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the appeals should be dismissed on this acceptance alone.

“Esquire also accepts that it can't overcome the holding objection from Natural England. The very basis and rationale behind these appeals is questionable."

Click here for the petition.

Planning officers are now set to consider the appeals.