Petition | No fun for Nature – Save Swanscombe Marshes

Petiton organised by Paul Hetherington, Buglife‘s Director of Fundraising and Communications.

Yesterday Natural England declared that Swanscombe Marshes should be an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). Pressure from RSPB, Buglife and Kent Wildlife Trust who all oppose the development of the huge London Resort project on the site has paid off, and this is a great step forward. It does not mean that the Marshes are safe though: currently the area has only been “notified” which gives it the same weight of protection as a fully designated SSSI, but there is now a consultation period until 12th July 2021. After this the SSSi designation will be declared, amended or withdrawn. The developers still insist they have the environment at heart – an odd claim from a company planning to build a massive Resort Park and access roads across rare habitat) – and for them the fight goes on…

So do please sign the petition or better still become an ‘interested party’ – the deatils for which are found via the link at the bottom of the page.

A nationally-important wildlife site is under threat – we need your help to save Swanscombe Marshes!

It is vital that Swanscombe Marshes and the wildlife that calls this amazing site home are protected from the proposed London Resort theme park. We need your help to secure the future of this haven for wildlife.

Please sign our petition and help Save Swanscombe Marshes

The Swanscombe Peninsula is home to a remarkable mix of habitat of high value to wildlife – these include grasslands, coastal habitats, brownfield features, scrub and intricate wetlands.

Known as Swanscombe Marshes, this urban wilderness is home to thousands of species, including over 250 invertebrate species which are rare or under threat. As well as abundant bees, butterflies and beetles, Swanscombe Marshes is one of just two places in the UK where you can find the Critically Endangered Distinguished jumping spider (Attulus distinguendus). It is home to Nightingales, Cuckoos, Marsh Harriers and a thriving population of Common lizards, thanks to its array of rich habitats.

Swanscombe Marshes is not just important for wildlife. The site has been enjoyed by local people for years for walking, bird watching, angling and escaping the hustle and bustle of North Kent.

But all of this is now threatened by the proposed London Resort theme park. Hyped as the ‘UK’s Disneyland’, much of the unique habitat of Swanscombe Marshes would be destroyed and concreted. The wildlife riches of the site simply will not survive this development. At a time when the value of wildlife and open spaces is being appreciated more than ever and amid a biodiversity crisis, we urge the Secretary of State to reject this unnecessary and ill thought out application.

Please sign our petition to save this unique site, let’s save Swanscombe Marshes!

For more information please visit our website https://buglife.org.uk/campaigns/save-swanscombe-marshes/.

Buglife, 38 Degrees, March 2020

Like to do more? For more information and suggested action to take please go Buglife’s website and Save Swanscombe Marshes