Representation by Dr Claudia Mitchell
- Date submitted
- 16 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I wish to register my objection to the proposed development of a theme park on the Swanscombe Peninsula. This is one of the few remaining biodiverse brownfield sites in the Thames Estuary not already damaged by development. It harbours important populations of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and plants, including endangered species. It was recently deemed by Natural England to meet SSSI criteria. This is not the right place for a theme park, or indeed any other development. I fail to see how such a frivolous venture as a theme park can be considered a nationally significant infrastructure project. What does that say about our nation? The short-term thrills of a fun-fair should be far outweighed by the long-lasting satisfaction of nurturing the wealth of wildlife that exists in this special place. Swanscombe Peninsula should be protected for nature in perpetuity. The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. I have witnessed that decline in my own lifetime, and it is a constant source of great personal sadness. The Prime Minister has pledged to protect biodiversity (https://www.leaderspledgefornature.org/). This is a perfect opportunity to do so. Conversely, allowing the theme park development to go ahead would seriously undermine that pledge.