Wildlife charities have appealed to Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, to revoke a controversial planning designation threatening the Swanscombe Peninsula in North Kent.
The area, home to over 2,000 invertebrate species, including the critically endangered Distinguished Jumping Spider, and 82 species of breeding birds, has been under threat from a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) application for the London Resort theme park since 2014.
Despite its designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 2021, the NSIP status remains, hindering conservation efforts.
The charities’ letter calls for the removal of this status to allow the community-led Vision for a wildlife haven to proceed.