Greater London has some magnificent places .. Centrally, there is St Paul's Cathedral, the Tate Modern, Trafalgar Square and of course the London Eye.
There are also open and natural spaces such as Hyde Park, Epping and Hainault forests, Hampstead Heath, Ingrebourne Marshes, the mighty Thames, Wimbledon Common and London's biggest green lung, Richmond Park.
In fact there are 36 places designated as being Sites of Special Scientific Interest [SSSI] in Greater London. This means they are protected from disturbance and development because of their value to nature and society. In reality, they may soon be as vulnerable to development as any other location, thanks to a decision by Medway councillors.
They have rubber stamped planning permission for 5,000 new homes to be built on an ex Ministry of Defence site in Kent called Lodge Hill, parts of which are designated SSSI land because it is a breeding site for nightingales. This may not seem a lot, but 1% of the UK's entire population can be found at Lodge Hill. The species is vanishing and building on a site where 1% of the nation's favourite songbird breeds would seriously exacerbate that decline. There are options which Medway councillors could consider to reach their obligatory housing target without all the implications of Lodge Hill.
If their decision goes unchallenged, it sets a national precedent leaving all other SSSI sites effectively fair game for development. London's glorious Richmond Park could feasibly be transformed into a housing estate. The RSPB supports moves to build homes and infrastructure. We believe this can be done while saving, and often enhancing special places and wildlife; the things that make up our fabled green and pleasant land and provide natural spaces within our urban settings. We vehemently oppose Medway's decision.
We have written to Eric Pickles, the Minister responsible for housing, urging him to "call-in" this planning decision for a judicial review. This should allow full consideration of the facts and options. Mr Pickles will be making a decision over the next few days. We have until Thursday 25 of September to show him the strength of public support for precious places like Lodge Hill, Hampstead Heath, Gungrog Flash in Powys, the Avon Gorge, Bodmin Moor, Manchester's Nob End, Aberdeen's Pittodrie, Buttermere and Scafell Pikes in Cumbria, Rathlin Island, the Ribble Estuary or North Yorkshire's Three Dykes .. to name just a dozen.
This is an occasion where volume matters. Please add your name to our e-action showing Eric Pickles that people in the UK are passionate about protecting special places and the wildlife which help define our national character.
* Signing our e-action will save amazing places like Richmond Park ... so PLEASE do add your name.