The Kent Wildlife Trust are refuting claims made by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer regarding the impact of conservation efforts on housing development in Ebbsfleet.
In an editorial for The Telegraph newspaper, Sir Keir suggested that plans for 15,000 new homes had been blocked due to the discovery of a colony of critically endangered distinguished jumping spiders. He cited the case as an example of unnecessary restrictions on development.
Sir Kier stated “Take the project in Ebbsfleet to build more than 15,000 new homes… The plan was blocked by Natural England. Why? The discovery of a colony of ‘distinguished jumping spiders.’ The dream of home ownership for thousands of families, held back by arachnids. It’s nonsense. And we’ll stop it.”
However, this is an oversimplification of the situation, and it is disappointing to see this complex issue misrepresented. The vast majority of the 15,000 homes are going ahead. However, 1,300 homes were proposed for development on the Swanscombe Peninsula, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which was earmarked for the London Theme Park.
The distinguished jumping spider is not found in the area where those homes were proposed but in other protected parts of the SSSI. These other areas are home to rare and endangered species, including distinguished jumping spider, man orchid, water vole, marsh harrier, nightingale, over a thousand of invertebrate species, and even seals.
All of the SSSI, including where the 1,300 were planned, are vital habitats that we simply cannot afford to lose.
We must move beyond the narrative of ‘nature versus growth.’ Sustainable development, which respects and integrates the natural environment, benefits both people and wildlife. Our priority must be to ensure that future communities are built in a way that protects our most precious ecosystems, creating places that are not only liveable but also resilient and rich in biodiversity.
The Kent Wildlife Trust and Natural England are committed to working with policymakers, developers, and conservationists to find solutions that balance housing needs with the protection of the UK’s natural heritage.
