Representation by Andrew Critchell
- Date submitted
- 31 March 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I would like to make the following points in my representation: As usual, nature and wildlife are being expended for short-term economic greed which will never stop until every last inch of this planet is covered in concrete. Living locally to this site I am deeply distressed that the positive benefits to my wellbeing through exercise and being able to commune with nature will be taken away alongside the sites intrinsic value and importance to nature which has just as much right to live without destruction on this planet as anything else. The south east of England is already drowning under ever increasing traffic and associated air pollution (a recent nationwide study showed this borough as having areas with the worst pollution in the country) and development, and there are fewer and fewer spaces where we can go to escape and heal. The coronavirus pandemic has shown us how important our mental health is and highlighted the scientifically proven huge benefits to mental health that time out in nature provides. The Swanscombe peninsula gives this in spades. This site, a unique open mosaic of coastal habitats, grasslands, scrub and wetlands, has been identified by Natural England as meeting the criteria for SSSI designation for good reason. It supports over 250 invertebrate species of conservation concern, including the Critically Endangered Distinguished jumping spider which is found on only one other site in the UK. Let's take a moment to let that sink in. Swanscombe is actually home to a plethora of nationally rare and endangered bees, spiders, beetles, wasps and a host of other invertebrates that make the site of national importance. 15 red-listed Birds of Conservation Concern and 12 Species of Principal Importance - including Marsh harriers, Bearded tit, Nightingales and Black redstart, rely on the site for breeding. Will they find somewhere else to breed or will those sites also have been built on? If they can't raise young these species will continue to decline and become extinct. 13 nationally scarce vascular plant species have been found at Swanscombe, including 5 red-listed species such as the Man orchid alongside locally important populations of reptiles, bats, Water vole and Otter. The planet is at a tipping point with wildlife populations crashing globally. At what point do we say enough is enough and actually start valuing nature, protecting wildlife sites, expanding them and finding new ways to life in harmony with nature? What other warning signs do we need to be given to know projects like these need to be stopped if they are set to ruin and degrade such important sites for nature?