Representation by Peter C Lysaght
- Date submitted
- 12 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I find it hard to believe that the proposal for a theme park has made it this far in light of the destruction and havoc it would wreak upon the area, with devastating effects on native flora and fauna, especially those already on red and at risk lists. Swanscombe Peninsula supports an outstanding range of wildlife that depend upon it being left as a unique wildlife area for them to continue to flourish. Its uniqueness is what makes Swanscombe an area of outstanding natural beauty with coastal habitats, grasslands, scrub and wetlands that have developed as a result of the site’s complex human history. In support of the area, Natural England have recommended Swanscombe be declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest and now is the time to step up our efforts to preserve and protect our most important wildlife sites from being lost. 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. It is home to nationally rare and endangered bees - our vital pollinators - 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. In addition to an astounding 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 otters. We need conservation not destruction, and Swanscombe should be left to its native inhabitants which we as their protectors can enjoy, with the added benefit of increasing our wellbeing as we observe nature at work and at play