Representation by Jonathan Carruthers
- Date submitted
- 14 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
With Greater London increasingly built up, The Swanscombe Peninsula is one of vanishingly few places to retain a 'wild' character that lie within easy reach by train. For this reason, it provides an escape from city life for recreation that is essential, and cannot be substituted by manicured parks or farmed countryside. Swanscombe is home to a unique assemblage of species - many rare and endangered, and some critically so, such as the distinguished jumping spider. Biodiversity loss is recognised by the World Economic Forum as one of the top five global risks facing humanity. We must take every opportunity to protect the precious diversity of life that has evolved on our planet over hundreds of millions of years. The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. It would be tragic to have it concreted over and to lose this nationally-important habitat. It is not the right place for a theme park. Swanscombe is recommended for SSSI designation. This means it is nationally significant. A theme park might provide a fun day out, but it is not nationally significant, and should not receive consideration as a nationally significant infrastructure project.