Save Crossness Nature Reserve

Cory want to build their Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) facility on Crossness Nature Reserve!

The Save Crossness Nature Reserve campaign group whole-heartedly object to Cory's planning application if it means losing any land at the nature reserve - one of only four Local Nature Reserves (LNR) in Bexley, and a Metropolitan Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (MSINC) and Metropolitan Open Land (MOL).

Wildlife sees no boundaries. Cory's suggested mitigation plan is a deception - the adjacent Norman Road Field site (currently owned by Peabody) has previously been used as mitigation. Therefore, it already provides a wonderful area for nature and cannot compensate for taking and building on Crossness Nature Reserve.

We think it is great Cory want to clean up their act but they should build on one of the alternative locations suggested in their planning application.

THE THREAT

WHAT?

Cory have applied to compulsory purchase 11.7% of the 25 hectares of land at Crossness Nature Reserve - an area created under a Section 106 agreement (click here for further details).

This is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) so needs approval from the Secretary of State (not the local authority).

WHY?

Cory want to build a decarbonisation plant on this part of the reserve, to reach their net zero goals.

The technology will collect carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by their incinerators and compress it into a liquid. This will be stored on site until shipped to the North Sea and pumped into empty oil and gas fields, deep under the ocean floor.

WHEN?

The Planning Inspectorate's Preliminary Meeting will be held on Tuesday 5 November 2024, from 10am at Delta Hotels Bexleyheath. This will discuss the procedure for the Examination of Cory's application.

Invitations should have been sent to all 205 people/groups who registered comments (available here).

Cory have submitted a notification of proposed application for a change and the Examining Authority have issued an initial response.

Planning Inspectorate website

Click here to watch Cory's public consultation webinar recorded 15 November 2023

DRONE IMAGE WITH OWNERSHIP BOUNDARIES

Full aerial map showing all ownership boundaries.jpg

Drone image courtesy of Chasing Millimetres

ARTIST IMPRESSION OF CCS FACILITY

We have marked up Weedon Architect's impression of the proposed CCS plan. We understand the two absorber columns (closet to the existing incinerator buildings) will be around 116 meters tall (the height of a 34-storey building). The CO2 conditioning and compression structures will be approximately 50 meters (a 15-storey building).

MITIGATION

Norman Road Field and CNR - 8 May 2024 - Copy.png

Crossness Nature Reserve and Cory's proposed mitigation site are next to each other - divided by a wooden post and rail fence.

Wildlife already use and move between the fields - they do not know the difference!

Both are s.106 mitigation sites - Cory cannot be allowed to

transfer ownership of Norman Road Field as mitigation for

taking over 11% of Crossness Nature Reserve.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

SIGN OUR PETITION

Please add your signature to our change.org petition - click here. Remember to check your email and confirm your email address otherwise your signature won't be counted.

DONATE

Our CrowdJustice page is now live!

To stand any chance of success we must have legal representation during the examination and hearing stages of the planning application. We are thrilled to have found a brilliant solicitor from Southwark Law Centre's 'Planning Voice' legal project. We now urgently need to raise funds to pay for these services.

We would also love to employ an independent ecologist to submit expert surveys on the Crossness Nature Reserve's wildlife.

Please share our CrowdJustice page on your socials and if you are able, please also donate.

Thank you!

SEND AN OBJECTION

The deadline to register and submit comments was 16th June 2024. Thank you to everyone who was able to do so.

Keep up to date with the Planning Inspectorate Project information here.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

If you would like to be kept updated about the campaign please complete this form and we will add you to our mailing list.

Also, if you have any questions or information for us please also use this form.

You can sign up for Planning Inspectorate updates here.

Cory's decarbonisation web page can be found here.

SAVE CROSSNESS NATURE RESERVE