Representation by Jennifer Williams
- Date submitted
- 25 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Swanscombe is a unique, precious habitat supporting hundreds of rare and special species. Allowing it to be destroyed or fragmented would be a tragedy. Biodiversity is not lost in one fell swoop, it is chipped away at with actions such as this proposal. Every decision counts. If we continue to allow nature to be built upon, we will shortly have nothing but concrete left to us and to future generations. It is so important to protect each and every site that supports wildlife, especially as a biodiversity crisis has been declared. The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and is only meeting 5 of its 20 Aichi targets (State of Nature Report, 2019). We should be doing everything we can to reverse this trend, not compounding it with projects like this. I am sure economic concerns will be at the heart of the argument for the proposal, but the local economy needs a green recovery and green jobs, not this devastating plan. It is not hyperbole to say that the economy will count for nothing if we continue destroying nature. The world's eyes are on us, as the hosts of COP26, and we must act to stop wildlife loss, starting by protecting and preserving Swanscombe.