Representation by Arthur Gelling
- Date submitted
- 25 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Swanscombe Peninsula supports an outstanding range of habitats and wildlife. It features a unique mosaic of coastal habitat, grassland, scrub and wetlands, and Natural England have recommended it be declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Invertebrates: According to NE the site supports over 250 invertebrate species of conservation concern, including the Critically Endangered spider (Attulus distinguendus) which is found on only one other site in the UK. Swanscombe is also host to nationally rare and endangered bees, spiders, beetles, wasps and a host of other invertebrates that make the site of national importance for invertebrates. Avian: The site supports a very rich breeding bird assemblage includes 15 red-listed Birds of Conservation Concern and 12 Species of Principal Importance- including Marsh harriers, Bearded tit, Nightingales and Black redstart. Botanical: The site hosts 13 nationally scarce vascular plant species, including 5 red-listed species. Herpetiles and mammals: The site features locally important populations of reptiles, bats, Water vole and Otter. Off-setting: It is simply NOT POSSIBLE to reproduce this level of complex habitat mosaic by translocation. Off-setting cannot replace the existing habitat. National Infrastructure: For a resort development to be categorised as "Nationally Significant Infrastructure" is an extraordinary stretch of the definition of the term: The development is a commercial development like many other resorts, and as such is neither "infrastructure" nor of "national significance".