Rare shrill carder bee discovered on Swanscombe Peninsula earmarked for London Resort theme park
One of the UK’s rarest bumblebees has been found on a wildlife site under threat by proposals for a multi-billion pound theme park.
The shrill carder bee has been discovered for the first time on the Swanscombe Peninsula – a 216 hectare marshland site home to thousands of rare plant, invertebrate and bird species.
It has a distinctive greyish-green colour with a dull orange tail and is only found in a handful of locations across the UK.
Having declined dramatically in the last century, the insect is now making a buzz on the brownfield site which was designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) in 2021.
It could provide yet another sting in the tail for the multi-billion London Resort project, first earmarked on land along the banks of the River Thames, 10 years ago.
Plans for the Disneyland-style theme park were withdrawn in March following a campaign led by a coalition of wildlife charities and community groups – but it is expected to be resubmitted later this year.
To date more 35,000 people have signed a petition calling for the application to be refused.
The bee was spotted by keen wildlife photographer and amateur naturalist, Richard Dowling, who was quick to point out that: “The thought that this nationally important habitat could be bulldozed so that a handful of people can make a quick buck on a theme park is sickening”.
Jamie Robins, Buglife programmes manager added: “This is fantastic news. We have known for years how important Swanscombe is, with over 2,000 species of invertebrate, including a stunning 200 of conservation concern.
"To find the Shrill Carder Bee there now, shows that this wildlife site is going from strength to strength - as each year passes we are finding out more and more about just how essential it is that we save it.”
Buglife is now asking for visitors to the popular green space to keep an eye out for the critters in September, when newly emerged queens are flying and looking for places to hibernate.
It says having more records for the insect will help to confirm the natural importance of the Peninsula and ensure its survival.
Meanwhile, dozens of businesses on the nearby industrial estates have submitted claims for costs due to blight caused by the theme park proposals.
In June, a wildlife enthusiast said she had been left "absolutely devastated" after several critically endangered orchids were "strimmed away to dust on the protected site.
The site in north Kent has been granted protected SSSI nature status owing to its rich abundance of wildlife – but it does not preclude the land from future development.
The marshland has a complicated industrial history and was previously subject to landfill and the dumping of cement waste.
It was the alkaline created from the dust of the cement kilns which are believed to have provided fertile ground for another of its rare species – the critically endangered jumping spider.
London Resort Company Holdings, the consortium behind the theme park, says it is tweaking its bid to factor in new developments and environmental concerns.
This includes spending £150m on environmental improvements on the peninsula and moving the ferry terminal from Tilbury to Grays.
Speaking earlier this year, chief executive PY Gerbeau said: “We will continue our engagement with the local community, statutory bodies, landowners and others to make sure we can reach as many agreements as possible before resubmission.
"Make no mistake we are still 100% committed to this amazing project and we will resubmit before the end of 2022 and look forward to delivering a world class entertainment resort – the UK deserves better and we will make it happen!”