Representation by Grace Brennan
- Date submitted
- 12 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Wildlife across the UK is in drastic decline, and it is more important than ever to spare our national treasures. Large natural areas like this are precious as the climate declines; we need them to absorb carbon, filter soils and help with flood mitigation, not add to the problem by building on them. Swanscombe is a unique open mosaic of coastal habitats, grasslands, scrub and wetlands that have developed as a result of the site’s complex human history. Natural England have recommended Swanscombe be declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest- we must protect our most important wildlife sites from being lost. It 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. The Swanscombe Peninsula is simply the wrong place for a theme park- we must value our precious wildlife more than we do a theme park.