Representation by Janet Simms
- Date submitted
- 29 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Swanscombe supports nationally important Open mosaic habitat on previously developed land, coastal habitats, grasslands, scrub and wetlands that have developed as a result of the site’s complex human history. It is an inappropriate site for a theme park. The site supports a nationally important assemblage of invertebrates, including 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. The site’s diverse 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. It also has locally important populations of reptiles, bats, Water vole and Otter. There are fewer and fewer sites left for nature. Lockdowns have given people a new understanding and appreciation of our natural surroundings and their importance to ourselves through biodiversity and for our own mental wellbeing. The destruction of this site would be yet another nail in the coffin for nature and in the long term, human life as we know it.