Save Crossness Nature Reserve
Save Crossness Nature Reserve
Latest: May 3, 2025
Our closing statements are in!
The DCO process is now drawing to a close.
SCNR’s key submissions are encapsulated in the following propositions:
a. The need case is not met.
b. The statutory test for compulsory acqu…
Read moreWe are a group of local campaigners and environmentalists fighting to save Crossness Nature Reserve.
We are working with Southwark Law Centre to bring a legal case against Cory's industrial development plans.
Crossness Nature Reserve is an extremely unique piece of nature, providing a safe haven for rare and endangered wildlife, and a serene space to escape hectic London life. It is designated as a Local Nature Reserve, a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and as Metropolitan Open Land, which is afforded the same protection status as the Green Belt.
The nature reserve is enjoyed thousands of times a year by nature lovers and the public. It is also a particularly popular spot for bird watchers. The space is carefully maintained, including public walkways, viewing platforms and information boards to allow people to immerse themselves in and learn about nature.
However, Crossness Nature Reserve is under threat: Cory Energy wants to acquire part of the nature reserve through compulsory purchase to expand their waste burning facilities.
This will result in:
● Significant loss of incredibly valuable nature reserve land
● Irreversible damage to habitats and biodiversity
● Harm to rare and critically endangered species including:
○ Water Vole - the UK’s fastest declining mammal
○ Shrill Carder Bee - the UK’s rarest bumblebee
○ A pair of resident breeding Barn Owls - a Schedule 1 protected species
○ Frog Rush - a plant previously thought to be extinct in Kent
○ Linnet and breeding Skylark - GB red list species
● Noise and visual impact that will heavily impact public enjoyment of the
remaining nature reserve land
● Loss of historic grazing land used by the traveller community.
Cory is already constructing a second waste incinerator next door, which is significantly impacting the nature reserve. Now they want to go even further, by obtaining permission under a Development Consent Order (DCO) to build a carbon capture facility on the nature reserve to offset their huge carbon emissions.
There are alternative locations nearby, but Cory is ignoring them. It’s a clear case of private corporations putting profit before nature and the public good.
We are raising money to appear as an interested party in the DCO examination process. Our goal is to protect the nature reserve and ensure the carbon capture plant is located elsewhere.
We are being advised by Southwark Law Centre’s ‘Planning Voice’ legal project, and hope to also bring in expert witnesses. The minimum donation permitted by CrowdJustice is £5 but any amount above this is greatly welcome.
100% of your money will be used to fight the case. Funds will be held by Southwark Law Centre, and will be used exclusively to cover their fees and disbursements to other professional consultants. Any stretch funding beyond the target will ensure they can devote more time to the case and give us the best chance of success.
This is a fight to protect vital nature and public green space from corporate greed and private profit. Crossness Nature Reserve is one of London’s most valuable natural spaces and a home to many endangered species - once it’s lost, it’s gone forever.
For those interested in reading more about the proposals and our efforts to stop them, there is further information at www.SaveCrossnessNatureReserve.org.
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Save Crossness Nature Reserve campaign group
May 3, 2025
Our closing statements are in!
The DCO process is now drawing to a close.
SCNR’s key submissions are encapsulated in the following propositions:
a. The need case is not met.
b. The statutory test for compulsory acquisition has not been met;
c. The land being lost is special category land;
d. Section 127 of the Planning Act 2008 prevents compulsory acquisition of Crossness Nature Reserve;
e. The Applicant has failed to properly apply the mitigation hierarchy;
f. The proposed development will result in severe planning harm;
g. The mitigation proposed to account for the planning harms associated with the development is insufficient;
h. The Applicant places great reliance on the carbon capture achieved from the Proposed Scheme, and its mistaken belief that the CNP presumptions consequently apply.
What happens next:
The Inspector will write a report and make recommendations to the Secretary of State who will make the final decision on whether to grant the Carbon Capture Plant planning consent.
Save Crossness Nature Reserve campaign group
April 17, 2025
Cory Carbon Capture and Storage – Formal examination period ends 5th May 2025
This means that the Examining Authority (ExA) should have all the information he requires by 5th May. He will write a recommendation report for the Secretary of State (SoS) within three months, and the SoS then has a further three months to decide whether he accepts or rejects the ExA’s decision, so we won’t know the final outcome until later in the year.
Submissions can be seen here: Documents | Cory Decarbonisation Project and more information available here: www.savecrossnessnaturereserve.org
Save Crossness Nature Reserve campaign group
April 3, 2025
Development Control Order coming to a conclusion
The Development Control Order for Cory's Carbon Capture and Storage planning application is coming to a close.
There will be an opportunity to present a final and 6th submission at the end of April 2025, and closing statements at the begining of May 2025.
After this, the inspector will have 3 months to produce a report. Finally, the Secretary of State will make a decision.
Jed Holloway, solicitor from Planning Voice at the Southwark Law Centre is preparing our closing statement.
Thank you so much for your continued support!
Save Crossness Nature Reserve campaign group
Feb. 26, 2025
Our deadline 4 submission is with the Examining Authority
Thank you so very much for your continued support.
All our campaign's submissions can be viewed on the Government portal.
https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010128/documents
Save Crossness Nature Reserve campaign group
Feb. 5, 2025
Compulsory acquisition hearings
We are gearing up to the Compulsory Acquistion Hearings which will take place on Tuesday 11th February 2025.
We are represented by Jed Holloway, solicitor at Planning Voice, Southwark Law Centre and Acland Bryant, barrister, Garden Court Chambers.
There will be further hearings which we will attend next week as well as a site visit led by the Examining Authority.
We shall keep you updated of our progress.
Save Crossness Nature Reserve campaign group
Oct. 9, 2024
Notification of Preliminary Meeting - 5 November
The Planning Inspectorate have announced their Preliminary Meeting will be held on Tuesday 5 November 2024 from 10am. Venue: The Delta Hotels Bexleyheath (DA6 7JZ). Access will also be available via Microsoft Teams.
Everyone who submitted comments to the Examining Authority should have received an invitation via email (it may have gone to your junk folder - sender address: [email protected]).
We urge as many people invited as possible to attend (in person or remotely). Even if you don't wish to speak, it will show your support for our campaign.
As always, thank you so much for your continued support.
Lisa, Laurence & Calum
PS We look forward to seeing you at our 2 November fundraiser (https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/scnr/wild-bexley/e-bvjgkq). Some tickets still available!
Save Crossness Nature Reserve campaign group
Sept. 27, 2024
Campaign fundraiser: Wild Bexley
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