We 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.