"Spidergate"
Challenging the PM over misleading claims
Leading environmental groups have responded to a Telegraph editorial in which the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer suggested the halting of a 15,000-home scheme in Ebbsfleet due to the presence of a rare spider was “nonsense.” In a joint letter co-signed by The Wildlife Trusts, Buglife, CPRE Kent and others, the organisations say this seriously misinterprets the facts.
Most of the development is still proceeding, with thousands of homes already built. 1,300 homes, out of the 15,000 total, were proposed within the Swanscombe Peninsula (which is designated as a SSSI) and therefore cannot be built.
© Roman Willi
The distinguished jumping spider, which has become the focus of media attention, was not found in the development area, but elsewhere within the SSSI, which supports over 1,700 invertebrate species and rare birds like the nightingale.
homes, it’s about building the right
homes in the right places.Evan Bowen-Jones, Chief Executive of Kent Wildlife Trust
The groups have invited the Prime Minister to visit Swanscombe and are urging the government to integrate environmental protection into sustainable development, rather than framing nature as an obstacle.
© Jess Allam
Sheep take the lead in meadow restoration
A new partnership between Kent Wildlife Trust and Leybourne Grange Management CIC is enhancing biodiversity at a four-hectare meadow on the outskirts of West Malling using a carefully planned grazing programme as a natural management tool.
The Trust has replaced Dexter cows with sheep to implement a more targeted approach to grazing. The site will be closely monitored, and cows may return in the future to support the sheep if needed.
If you are a local resident, please do consider joining us as a volunteer Livestock Checker, helping to carry out daily animal welfare checks. Volunteers will receive full training and play an active role in supporting the grazing programme.
site can become a haven for wildlife.
By involving the community and using
nature-based management, we can
enhance biodiversity while preserving
the character of the landscape.Alison Ruyter, Wilder Grazing Programme lead at Kent Wildlife Trust
The Trust’s Wilder Grazing Programme has been in development for decades and manages around 800 animals across 85 reserves. It uses traditional grazing animals to mimic natural processes, improving habitats and supporting nature’s recovery in a changing climate.
It's not "nature or development." It's both.
New planning changes are set to weaken environmental protections for developments, like housebuilding. At the moment, developers need to assess and address the environmental impacts of developments on legally protected habitats and wildlife.
Part Three of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill would change this process. It would remove the foundations of our nature laws, such as the need to avoid harm to nature first. Environmental organisations, and even the Office for Environmental Protection – the independent watchdog on environmental issues – agree that the Bill weakens the protection of nature.
We’re demanding Ministers scrap Part Three of the Bill. And you can help! We’ve made it easy for you to email your MP through our action tool below, and we’ll copy in the Chancellor to every email. We want the Treasury to know that MPs are getting involved, and we want the Chancellor to hear from you too.
Sevenoaks Visitor Centre update
Work is well underway on the Sevenoaks Visitor Centre refurbishment. Due for completion in early Autumn 2025, this £2.1m project will see some much-needed improvements to the Visitor Centre, car parking area and the wider reserve.
The installation of full-height glazed doors and a deck area overlooking the often-missed West Lake will connect the visitor centre to the reserve like never before. The improved café space will provide an upgraded food offering and a space that’s available for corporate hires and community events. Add to that the improvements in accessible features, interactive interpretation and a bespoke play park, Sevenoaks will be a wonderful new gateway to inspiring young and old alike.
Unfortunately, these improvements don’t come without some disruption to access. At the time of writing, the car park is locked and only available to those attending pre-booked events. We ask that visitors still wanting to come and enjoy the reserve and planning on parking in residential streets nearby, do so with consideration for our neighbours and local community.
Want to be part of nature's next chapter?
With work underway at our flagship Sevenoaks reserve, we’re inviting individuals and organisations to align themselves with the next chapter for this historic wild space. We’re seeking sponsorship, and we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Scheduled for completion in Autumn 2025, this investment will connect more people with nature than ever before. Be part of the project that’s increasing modern accessible space for everyone, with uninterrupted views across a magical lake teeming with wildlife.
Contact Talia at fundraising@kentwildlife.org.uk to discuss how to get involved and the exciting naming opportunities that are available.
