Kent Wildlife Trust has refuted 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, 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, stating:
“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, Kent Wildlife Trust has called this an oversimplification of the situation, emphasising that the majority of the planned homes are still progressing.
Emma Waller, Planning and Policy Officer at Kent Wildlife Trust, says: “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).
“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.”
Jamie Robins, Buglife Programmes Manager, says, “It is disappointing to see the Prime Minister again pit nature against growth. It is more important than ever to protect our wildlife. We can do this while also creating homes for people in the right places. Making false claims about Critically Endangered “Jumping spiders stopping an entire new town” is misleading and incorrect. It also undermines public confidence in the vital protections and binding commitments that we have for nature and the role of Natural England in helping it to thrive.”
A RSPB Spokesperson added: “Time and again we’re hearing about places the Prime Minister is happy to concrete over, yet silence on the habitats that must be protected from development. The habitats that underpin our economy, our health and wellbeing, and will help us mitigate climate change. The RSPB, and many millions of people across this country, care deeply about our wildlife and the important sites for nature we have left. But does Sir Keir?”
Kent Wildlife Trust remains committed to working with policymakers, developers, and conservationists to find solutions that balance housing needs with the protection of the UK’s natural heritage.