Representation by Dr Chris Gibson
- Date submitted
- 12 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Before early retirement, I worked for more than 30 years in statutory nature conservation, much of that time protecting such sites on the north bank of the Thames. I have never seen such a biodiverse patch of our country as Swanscombe, across a range of taxonomic groups, a wonderful mosaic of previously developed and semi-natural habitats, a multitude of species, common and rare, native and non-native, a melting pot of diversity. Any arguments about biodiversity net gain in respect of the proposal are spurious because the one thing that cannot be recreated is time, time over which such a rich, and frankly unique fauna and flora can develop. The wildlife needs this location, and reflects the continuity of its history. Therefore, to site a theme park here is wholly inappropriate; it is something which does not need it be here. It could be built anywhere, and there are many better places where it can go if such a development is ‘so’ important that it is correctly considered as nationally significant (a classification which I personally challenge – a glorified ‘funfair’ can never be considered thus). Indeed, I would argue that it should not either be considered ‘infrastructure’ – in the sense that it is not necessary for the providing of basic life needs of food, air, water or energy. Given that Natural England has decided that the evidence of its ecological value is such that it should be designated SSSI, it is essential now at the very least that the proposed developers must be instructed to resubmit their proposal in light of the fact that Swanscombe’s natural value as a nationally important asset has been correctly recognised. Ideally the Panning Inspectorate would, in recognition of the now clear and irrefutable evidence of the natural values of the site, refuse to take consideration of the scheme any further forward.