Representation by Alison Bunn
- Date submitted
- 12 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
We are in the middle of a biodiversity crisis, with wildlife populations declining at alarming rates, as described in the recent IPBES report (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services). The 2019 UK State of Nature report shows that 41% of UK species populations are declining in abundance (https://nbn.org.uk/stateofnature2019/https://nbn.org.uk/stateofnature2019/). With this in mind, it is unthinkable that one of our most important wildlife sites, Swanscombe Peninsula, could be destroyed to develop a theme park. Swanscombe is a unique site and is vitally important for many of our native species, as has now been recognised through its SSSI status. Its complex history has allowed it to develop a patchwork of grassland, scrub and wetland that support a huge range of species. This includes: • 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, and many rare and endangered bees, spiders, beetles and wasps. • 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 plants including 5 red-listed species such as the Man Orchid. • Important populations of reptiles, bats, Water Vole and Otter. This site is far too important for wildlife nationally, as well as for the health and enjoyment of local people and visitors, to be lost to development. If we are to achieve the 25 Year Environment Plan goal of reversing biodiversity decline, Swanscombe will need to be protected as a vital part of a new Thames Estuary nature recovery network. I urge you to recognise the unique and irreplaceable value of this site and the hundreds of species that depend on it for survival. Please protect it for future generations to enjoy.