Representation by Diana Ruthven
- Date submitted
- 12 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am very concerned about the proposed development of the Swanscombe Peninsula into a theme park. This development will jeopardise this very special area of land which supports a huge range of wildlife and is by no means just wasteland. Any development no matter how supposedly sustainable will risk destroying this wild habitat for birds, invertebrates and plants in an environment which includes coastal habitats, grasslands, wetlands and scrubland. All areas of land desperately in short supply in the uk compared to many European countries. Numerous recent surveys and research has found our wildlife and biodiversity to be in a parlours state. Let’s reverse that decline, celebrate this area, and preserve it for future generations, not desecrate it in the name of commercial development. Nature England has recommended the site be protected as a site of special scientific interest. This recommendation should be implemented. It supports over 250 invertebrate species which are on the risk list, including the critically endsngered 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. It is an area of rich bird breeding including 15 red-listed Birds of Conservation Concern and 12 Species of Principal Importance, including marsh harriers, bearded tits, nightingales and black redstarts. What is more 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. Please reconsider the decision to give permission to build a theme park on the Swanscombe Peninsula.