Call for Swanscombe Marshes to be designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest

Wildlife-rich brownfield sites on the Thames Estuary have become harbours for rare and threatened species that were once found more widely.  But they are no longer safe harbours. We have seen many sites destroyed and only two large brownfields remain intact and free from development permissions. One, Canvey Wick in Essex, is an SSSI and the other, Swanscombe Peninsula, is imminently threatened with destruction to make way for the theme park.

Richard Bloor, Wilder Towns Manager at Kent Wildlife Trust said: “At a time where the UK is seeing a devastating loss of nature and wildlife, it is essential that we formally protect nationally important sites like the Swanscombe Peninsula for the wildlife that depends on them and for the survival of our natural world and future generations. Swanscombe is one of the last remaining wildlife rich brownfield sites in the Thames Estuary, with habitats ranging from dry bare earth, which is vital for invertebrates, to complex wetlands, which support a great diversity of birds, reptiles and mammals.”

Matt Shardlow, Chief Executive of Buglife commented: “Biodiversity is in crisis, wildlife populations, particularly of insects, are in steep decline, many habitats and specialist species are increasingly rare and their fragmented populations are at risk of extinction. Too few wildlife-rich brownfield sites like Swanscombe Peninsula are protected, and this is the last chance to protect a large Thames Estuary brownfield site before it is too late. This is one of only 2 sites nation-wide for the Distinguished jumping spider. If the development is allowed on the Swanscombe Peninsula, this will push this special spider a step closer to national extinction.”

Emma Marsh, RSPB England Director said: “The RSPB is increasingly concerned about the cumulative threat of unsustainable development on nature across England. In September, the Prime Minister announced the government’s “30 by 30” pledge – a commitment to protect 30% of UK land for biodiversity by 2030 – calling for immediate action and avoiding dither and delay. Saving nationally-important wildlife sites like Swanscombe is surely an easy win on the road to meeting that commitment.”

There is an ongoing petition to ‘Save Swanscombe Marshes’ aimed at the Secretary of State and currently signed by over 19,300 people.

The purpose of SSSIs is to safeguard, for present and future generations, the diversity and geographic range of habitats, species, and geological and physiographical features, and where Natural England is of the opinion that land is of special interest by reason of its flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features, it is the duty of Natural England to designate an SSSI.