Nine natural spaces across south east London could be at risk of being destroyed under new government plans.<\/p>\n
New research from The Guardian has revealed that 5,000 of England\u2019s sensitive, rare and protected natural landscapes could be under threat of being destroyed by developments.<\/p>\n
The bill,\u00a0which was announced by the Labour government on 11 March, will introduce a new planning system across England named \u201cspatial development strategies\u201d.<\/p>\n
This new plan will look to local authorities’ \u201cmost sustainable areas\u201d to build on and comes following the government’s pledge to build up to 1.5 million homes across the UK to aid the ongoing housing crisis.<\/p>\n
However, concerns have been raised that some of England\u2019s protected natural habitats could be at risk following an analysis made of the legislation by The Guardian.<\/p>\n
In the article, experts warned that this bill could effectively enable developers to \u201cpay to pollute\u201d, putting ecosystems at risk.<\/p>\n
These areas, which include sites of special scientific interest (SSSI’s), Ramsar convention wetlands, Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protected Areas (SPAs) make up around 8 per cent England\u2019s lands.<\/p>\n
Among the areas, which have been described as \u201cjewels in the crown\u201d of England, are nine locations across the boroughs of Greenwich<\/a>, Bexley and Bromley.<\/p>\n In Greenwich, one of the areas that could be at risk is Oxleas Woodlands, an ancient woodland dating back 8,000 years and home to a Green Chain Walk.<\/p>\n In Greenwich, one of the areas that could be at risk is Oxleas Woodlands. (Image: Friends of Oxleas Woodlands)<\/p>\n Another Greenwich natural habitat highlighted in the research was Gilbert\u2019s Pit in Charlton \u2013 a 13-acre geological conservation review site that is part of the ancient Hanging Wood.<\/p>\n Two SSSIs in Bexley could also be at risk, including Abbey Wood \u2013 a 16-acre ancient woodland surrounding the remains of Lesnes Abbey.<\/p>\n The site is also well known as a hotspot for fossil digging, with a fossil bed that locals can dig in with permission of the ranger.<\/p>\n Abbey Wood is a 16-acre ancient woodland surrounding the remains of Lesnes Abbey. (Image: Lesnes Abbey)<\/p>\n Bordering Bexley and Dartford is Wansunt Pit \u2013 a geological site measuring 4.7 acres that has also been named on the list of sties being at risk.<\/p>\n The site is of both geological and archaeological importance, exposing the Dartford Heath Gravel and with artefacts dating back over 420,000 years.<\/p>\n