Representation by Abigail Woodman
- Date submitted
- 15 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
In March 2019, the UK Parliament declared a climate emergency. Thinking about how to mitigate the effects of climate change is not a nice to have, it is absolutely essential if we are to avoid catastrophic impacts. Preserving and, wherever possible, increasing biodiversity is a fundamental part of any and all responses to the challenges of climate change. Biodiversity loss cannot be viewed separately to climate change. Tackling climate change and biodiversity loss are going to require decisions that put the needs of the environment far ahead of the entertainment wants of a few people. This is one such decision. It would be unforgivable to allow a theme park to be built on land that Natural England has declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Swanscombe is an open mosaic of coastal habitats, grasslands and wetlands that have developed as a result of the site's complex human history. Such a unique place, that supports over 250 inveterate species of conservation concern, 15 red-listed birds of conservation concern, 12 bird species of principle importance, 13 nationally scarce vascular plant species and five red-listed plants, as well and the other wildlife species that call it home, should not be destroyed so that 1 species – humans – can spend a day at a theme park. PY Gerbeau, chief executive of London Resort Company Holdings, says that the project will deliver 'a net gain in biodiversity'. And while it may be true that the spreadsheet tools have been manipulated to demonstrate a net gain, it cannot be true that destroying unique habitats will benefit nature; quite the opposite. Anyone claiming that they have shown how they will 'transform a contaminated, former industrial site' with 'an investment that runs into millions' is clearly blind to the natural world; nature has already transformed the space. I say it should be left in peace to flourish.