Representation by Susan Clarke
- Date submitted
- 12 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Natural England have recommended Swanscombe be declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest- we must protect our most important wildlife sites from being lost, now more than ever with the dramatic decline in recent decades of many wildlife species. The effect of further loss will have long lasting damaging effects on the biodiversity of the earth as a whole as well as the local ecosystem. Swanscombe supports over 250 invertebrate species of conservation concern, including the Critically Endangered Distinguished jumping spider (Attulus distinguendus), which is found on only one other site in the UK. Swanscombe is home to nationally rare and endangered bees, spiders, beetles, wasps and a host of other invertebrates that make the site of national importance. Its rich breeding bird assemblage includes 15 red-listed Birds of Conservation Concern and 12 Species of Principal Importance- including Marsh harriers, Bearded tit, Nightingales and Black redstart.13 nationally scarce vascular plant species have been found at Swanscombe, including 5 red-listed species such as the Man orchid. It also has locally important populations of reptiles, bats, Water vole and Otter. I therefore implore you to reject the planning permission to build on this sacred site. It is a moral obligation for you to protect the life that depends on it. We as a species have already encroached way too much on the habitat of other species and must work together to rectify the damage and loss we have irresponsibly caused to the natural world and its wildlife. Thank you.