Crossness is part of the original Thames floodplain called Erith Marshes.[7][8] It is one of the few remaining areas of grazing marsh in London, and it has the largest reedbeds in Bexley. It also has ponds and ditches, and areas of scrub and rough grassland.[9] It is a major site for water voles, and 130 species of birds have been recorded, together with some rare invertebrates, including five species of water beetles and one of the UK's rarest wild bumblebee species, the Shrill Carder bee.[10] Scarce plants include Borrer's saltmarsh grass and frog rush, a species that was previously thought to be extinct in Kent.[1][8][11]
There are footpaths through the eastern part of the site, accessed from Norman Road and Eastern Way, but the western part is closed to the public.
In the early 2020s, Cory announced plans to create one of Europe's largest Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) facilities in Belvedere, on a site including 11.7% of the 25.5 hectares of land at Crossness Nature Reserve.[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] In December 2023, a campaign group (Save Crossness Nature Reserve) and petition was established to oppose the development.[24][25] The petition generated 2,790 signatures. In June 2024, the campaign group sought to raise £8000 to fight the plans.[26][27]
References
^ abc"Crossness". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 4 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
^"Map of Crossness". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
^"Erith Marshes". Greenspace Information for Greater London. 2013. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2014.