Representation by Terry Hilsden
- Date submitted
- 30 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Personal. I have lived locally to the Swanscombe Peninsular for 50 years, and have spent many happy hours wandering through its wilderness, under the open skies, losing myself daydreaming among the reeds, just standing and listening to the great variety of bird calls, and seeing the way the scrub and wetlands change as the seasons pass. I never cease to marvel how this little triangle hosts such a wide spectrum of wildlife, and yet it has all sprung up just in a few decades and is so near to one of the most densely populated parts of the UK. Once out on the grassland or on the foreshore, you could be miles from anywhere, certainly not on the borders of metropolitan London! The site has rejuvenated right under the noses of heavy industry, wildlife has quietly gone about its business, and left to itself, undisturbed has created a beautiful interconnected mosaic of different habitats. Geography. It is not surprising. Just a quick glance at Google satellite maps will show any observer, that Swanscombe peninsular is the last patch of green on the south bank of the Thames between Dartford marshes, which are heavily used by recreation, and Milton Marshes. That’s 11 miles of coastal marshes completely given over to development, industry and warehousing. Where are the species supposed to go? No wonder Swanscombe marshes has become such a sink for species and has rewilded so quickly. They have no where else left to go! Family experience. I have been watching the threat of this development with my family and friends with trepidation, we were devasted when we first heard the news of a resort being developed there. As if we do not have enough places to go for entertainment! Bird Life. In two hours on the 5th March 2021, I counted 47 species of birds, amongst which were the Marsh harriers – regular as clockwork, always there, and 21 Cettis warblers! For such a small site, it tells you the quality of the scrub, reedbed and swampy conditions, with plenty of invertebrates. The same day, watching a short-eared owl quarter the flood defences, indicates of course the ready availability of small mammals. No wonder Natural England have recommended Swanscombe be declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest! This small patch hosts more breeding bird species than Rainham Marshes (a carefully managed RSPB site), including 15 red-listed Birds of Conservation Concern. Invertebrates. I am not particularly knowledgeable about plants or invertebrates, but discovering that the peninsular is home to over 250 invertebrate species of conservation concern, shows what an incredibly rare site this small piece of land is, where historical human interaction has created such a variety of habitat – making up for the tremendous loss of habitat right along the Thames Gateway region. To learn that the Distinguished jumping spider is only found here and one other place in the UK, I am amazed that there is still talk of building yet another theme park in this already congested part of the south east. It is an exquisite and vital sanctuary to wildlife, and MUST be kept away from developers, and the whole site should be handed over to be made a national reserve. What a gem this would be. Appeal. The Government website states: “The Prime Minister is committing today (Monday 28 September) to protect 30% of the UK’s land by 2030”. Boris Johnson signed the Leaders Pledge for Nature at a virtual United Nations event on the same day. HE NEEDS TO SHOW HE MEANS IT. This unique treasure so close to London has met every single criteria to be made a SSSI and deserves full protection from development. Can the Government please make the right decision, and instead of mouthing platitudes, act on its responsibilities, show leadership and make this a positive step in showing a way out of the environmental crisis.