About the Peninsula
The Swanscombe Peninsula in North Kent is home to a remarkable mosaic of grasslands, coastal habitats, brownfield features, scrub and intricate wetlands.
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Known as Swanscombe Marshes, the area is home to thousands of invertebrate species, including over 200 species of conservation concern. This outstanding assemblage is of national importance, ranking with the best sites for wildlife in the UK. It is one of just two sites in the UK where the Critically Endangered Distinguished jumping spider can be found and home to a host of rare bees, beetles, moths, birds, mammals, plants and flowers.
The peninsula is a crucial site for nesting birds, with vital work carried out by The British Trust for Ornotholgy as explained in the 2022 Bird Ringing Report. This demonstrates how important the Swanscombe Peninsula is for Schedule 1 birds, who have been given maximum protection due to their rarity.
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History
The Swanscombe Peninsula has a complicated history, with the coastal grazing marsh and grassland habitats subject to landfill and the dumping of cement waste. It also plays host to water treatment works, the HS1 railway and jetties- it even has the UK’s tallest electricity pylon. This mixture of natural coastal features and human activity has created a habitat of the highest quality for wildlife, as well as a valued community space for walking, bird and nature watching, boating and escaping the hustle and bustle of this built up borough.
Nature Under Threat
A theme park - The London resort - threatens to destroy much of THE Swanscombe Peninsula and cover it with concrete. At a time when the value of wildlife and open spaces is being appreciated more than ever and amid ongoing declines in some of our best loved wildlife, a green light for this development would be a tragic loss of this much loved, valued and needed
re-wilded area.
First Victory
Natural England has designated the Swanscombve Peninsula as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This is a huge victory in the campaign.
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The campaign continues and the fight goes on to protect the peninsula completely and permanently, ensuring the nature and wildlife can continue to thrive there and people can continue to enjoy it.
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