Representation by Barry Shephard
- Date submitted
- 27 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I live some miles upstream from this former collection of quays wharves etc which has re-wilded over the last many years to become a haven for wildlife. Although it is designated as a brownfield site its is now populated by a rich and varied community of animals and plants, including nationally rare species many of which are are listed on recent surveys by Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife. Natural England is considering its submission as an SSSI in recognition of rare and notable plant and invertebrate species. It accommodates a remarkable assemblage of overwintering bird species, as well as breeding species recorded by Kent Wildlife trust in recent surveys. Wildlife corridors provide an essential component of successful conservation management and these marshes are just such a provision for dispersal of riparian and marshland species both upstream and downstream. The proposed development would break this chain doing harm to the species currently there, and also restricting movement and dispersal across the site. Further, the local community and visitors from further afield, who value the area as it is now would be deprived of a wonderful and precious wild landscape and its associated flora and fauna. only a short distance from London's urban environment. Over the last year of covid 19 restrictions, there has been an increasing awareness of the importance of wildlife and biodiversity, not only for the ecological health of our environment but also for human wellbeing and in particular mental health. With the uncertainty of how long current restrictions will remain, and whether further varients will force restrictions to again be reimposed, such wild spaces are essential, rather than crowded theme parks which may well, once again have to be closed to limit infections.