Natural England consulted with owners, occupiers and interested parties on the notification of Swanscombe Peninsula Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on 11 March 2021.
Consultations closed on 12 July 2021.
Following consideration of representations and objections at its meeting on 10 November 2021, the Board of Natural England approved the confirmation of the notification of the Swanscombe Peninsula SSSI with modifications to the description of the special interest (area figure amendment), boundary map and Views about Management (VAM).
Natural England confirmed Swanscombe Peninsula SSSI under section 28C of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 on 19 November 2021.
In accordance with Natural England’s policy on freedom of information, details of the Board’s decision will be available on Natural England’s website in due course: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england/about/our-governance.
If you have any questions or require further information, please email ProtectedSites@naturalengland.org.uk.
The list of operations requiring Natural England’s consent which formed part of the notification document of 11 March 2021 remains unaltered. The other legal documents, (boundary map, citation describing the features of special interest and statement of Natural England’s views on the management of the SSSI) have been amended and are available below.
Swanscombe Peninsula Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Kent:
Notification under section 28C (Enlargement) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Natural England has reviewed the notification of Bakers Hole SSSI, Kent and has enlarged the SSSI boundary under Section 28C to include more land of special interest. These changes were notified to owners, occupiers, the Local Planning Authority and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 11 March 2021.
The enlarged site is now known as Swanscombe Peninsula SSSI. The enlarged notification under Section 28C takes effect immediately.
Please note that the deadline for making objections and representations (including those supporting the changes) is 12 July 2021, although we would value the opportunity to discuss in advance any concerns which you may have about this notification.
Swanscombe Peninsula SSSI is an area of open mosaic habitat on previously developed land and traditional estuarine habitat which connects Ebbsfleet Valley to the southern shore of the River Thames between Dartford and Gravesend. The site includes chalk pits, free-draining grassland, scrub, wetlands, grazing marsh and saltmarsh. It is of special interest for its nationally important assemblages of invertebrates and breeding birds, populations of five species of vascular plant, and its geological features.
We recommend you read more about Swanscombe Peninsula SSSI which is described (with maps) in the notification document in the related documents section.
During the current coronavirus situation, Natural England staff are working remotely, and a limited number of our offices are open. You can submit your views via the online survey, or by email: thamesestuary@naturalengland.org.uk
We are seeking your views on the notification of Swanscombe Peninsula SSSI under Section 28C of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
We are now assessing the response to the consultation and will be making a recommendation to the Board of Natural England in due course. Natural England has to make a decision to either confirm or withdraw this notification by 10 December 2021 or the notification will cease to exist. We will widely promote Natural England's decision.
Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook