Representation by Julian Cheyne
- Date submitted
- 26 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Swanscombe Marshes are situated on a promontory out on their own with little human habitation nearby making it an excellent place to preserve. The only human sites nearby are industrial so it retains a separate identity. On the other side of the River Thames Rainham Marshes have been very sensible protected. This seems to be an excellent opportunity to provide a similar site on the south side of the river. Claims are often made that a development will improve bio-diversity, as is claimed with this project. The reality is development will bring destruction of the existing habitat and wider impacts in the neighbouring area. Replacement with new plantation takes years, even decades to achieve anything similar. Simpler, cheaper and more effective by far, if it is intended to improve a site ecologically, is to let nature do the work without any unnecessary development. Swanscombe is a mosaic of coastal habitats, grasslands, scrub and wetlands. Whilst developers often cite brownfield sites as preferable to Green Belt sites for development, in this case the fact the site is ‘brownfield’ is in many ways misleading since it has developed as a critically important habitat for many species. Natural England have recommended Swanscombe be declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest which recognises its unique value. I have to ask what is the point of a national authority of this kind making such a designation if it is just going to be overridden when a developer declares an interest. Natural England's designation reinforces that fact Swanscombe Marshes are host to 250 invertebrate species of conservation concern, including the Critically Endangered Distinguished jumping spider (Attulus distinguendus), which is found on only one other site in the UK. This is a site of national significance. Swanscombe is home to nationally rare and endangered bees, spiders, beetles, wasps and a host of other invertebrates that make the site of national importance, which should far outweigh its worth as a local recreational destination. Its 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. 13 nationally scarce vascular plant species have been found at Swanscombe, including 5 red-listed species such as the Man orchid. Additionally, it also has locally important populations of reptiles, bats, Water vole and Otter. We are in a climate emergency. Protecting natural sites like this and encouraging bio-diversity are very much a part of combating this emergency. We will also be emerging from the covid emergency. We have come to see how important wild open spaces are to our mental health. This site is already available to provide this kind of space. Leaving it alone is the best course of action.