Save Crossness Nature Reserve from industrial development!
CAMPAIGN UPDATE - February 2025
Cory Energy are applying to compulsory purchase and build on Crossness Nature Reserve in the London Borough of Bexley by the River Thames. As a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (an NSIP) it is being examined by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. The nature reserve stands to lose the East Paddock and Stable Paddocks (6 acres of Coastal and Floodplain Grazing Marsh) to many buildings including 116metre structures, and the northern edge of West Paddock to large elevated pipes and the eastern edge of Sea Wall Field to the same large elevated duct-work. Losing at least 11.7% of the reserve!
There are a series of deadlines during the planning examination and our fourth written submission is now with the Examining Authority. Their decision is expected on 5 May 2025.
In February 2025, we attended hearings and a site visit lead by the inspector and made verbal representations. We continue to challenge Cory on a series of issues;
1. The footprint of the development and Compulsory acquisition rules. The applicant is intentionally avoiding detailed design in order to maintain flexibility. CPO rules are clear; there is no room for flexibility when an applicant requires other parties' land!
2. The mitigation hierarchy has not been complied with in particular in relation to the avoidance of ecological harm.
3. The visual impact of the scheme is not properly explained or illustrated (see the photo!)
4. The mitigation proposals are changing existing habitat and are not an improvement. Indeed, one of the site the applicant is proposing to 'improve' should already have been under a previous section 106 but there is no evidence of the land owner having complied with their planning obligations.
Below is a link to the full set of submissions. Our submissions are prepared by Jed Holloway, Planning Voice solicitor at Southwark Law Centre with advice from Acland Bryant Barrister at Garden Court Chambers. We are indebted to Jed and Acland for their dedicated work and expert advice. View all the submissions on the Planning Inspectorate website: Cory Decarbonisation Project - https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010128
Save Crossness Nature Reserve is raising money to pay for this representation as an interested party during the examination process, 100% will be used to fight the case. Funds will be held by Southwark Law Centre, and is used exclusively to cover their fees and disbursements to other professional consultants. Please make any donations here: www.crowdjustice.com/case/scnr
More on the Save Crossness Nature Reserve campaign - www.savecrossnessnaturereserve.org