Theme park could go ahead despite site’s protected status
Swanscombe peninsula is designated as an SSSI but campaigners fear it is not enough to save the wildlife haven from proposed development.
An area of wetlands and grassland described by the Government as “abundant in wildlife and with huge benefits for people” is still not safe from being turned into a theme park, despite being recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), campaigners are warning.
Natural England announced in March that 250ha of the Swanscombe Peninsula, near Gravesend in Kent, had been designated as an SSSI because of its rare invertebrates.
These include more than 200 species considered as being of conservation importance, most notably the distinguished jumping spider – only found in two places in the UK. The peninsula is also home to breeding marsh harriers and bearded tits as well as rare plants.
But a coalition of wildlife groups – Buglife, the RSPB and Kent
Wildlife Trust – says this diversity and richness of wildlife does not guarantee the site’s future.
That’s because a planned development, The London Resort – which calls itself a “sustainable, next generation entertainment resort” – has been deemed a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), the wildlife groups say, allowing the application to “bypass the normal planning process”.
Buglife chief executive Matt Shardlow said it was ridiculous that the Government was treating a proposed “funfair” as if it were nationally important.
“The ministerial power that can turn a commercial project into a fasttracked NSIP on a whim is a massive loophole in the legislation, abuses democratic principles and is an invitation to corruption,” he added.
The London Resort issued a statement saying it has shown how the development will deliver a net gain in biodiversity and its commitment to managing and enhancing habitats.
“We are the ones who have found and identified every species,” the statement said. “We have shared our reports and we are working closely with Natural England to identify the right ecological solutions to deliver this grand project.”
Natural England said SSSI designation “enables the special interest of the features to be considered in decisions regarding future development”, and would not stop any development from taking place.