Representation by Dr. Jeremy Bartlett
- Date submitted
- 15 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Swanscombe Peninsula is a very special place: a unique open mosaic of coastal habitats, grasslands, scrub and wetlands which have developed as a result of the site’s complex human history. Wildlife across the country is in drastic decline yet Swanscombe acts as a wildlife refuge. It must not be damaged or destroyed in order to build yet another theme park. The site is especially important for invertebrates (including more than 250 species of conservation concern) and also supports birds (15 red-listed Birds of Conservation Concern and 12 Species of Principal Importance) and vascular plants (at least 13 nationally scarce species). As a result, it has recently been awarded SSSI status. The Swanscombe Peninsula is also an extremely important green space for local residents - of great value at any time but especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Turning the site into a theme park will exclude most of these people from the area and ruin whatever fragments of green space that are left. I urge you to reject these damaging plans.