Plans to concrete over 58 hectares of greenbelt land dubbed Bexley’s “jewel in the crown” to create new freight rail lines have been criticised.

A freight rail interchange on Crayford Marshes will include a warehouse, new road access, and a bridge over the River Cray.

The plans, submitted by Roxhill Development, have been approved by Bexley Council.

But Donna Zimmer, a member of Friends of Crayford Marshes, expressed concerns about building on greenbelt land because of the endangered animals living there.

She said: “Greenbelt should only be considered for planning applications in very special circumstances, such as when the damage to the area and wildlife is outweighed by greater environmental benefits.

“As a Bexley resident I am concerned about the extra pressure and delays this will now put onto our rail services, the extra pollution and traffic problems that will be caused by the HGVs and car movements in Bexley to this site.

“As a naturalist and regular visitor to Crayford Marshes I am saddened to think that not only will we now lose the precious wildlife including the rare birds that live, feed and breed at Crayford Marshes but but the people of Bexley, the cyclists, dog walkers, runners, ramblers, naturalists and future generations will lose the mental health benefits of visiting such a relaxing natural environment, forever.”

Animals including water voles and two red-listed birds skylarks and com buntings live on the marshland.

More than 1,350 supporters have signed a petition demanding the plans be rejected.

The application was approved weeks before the Department for Transport published a report considering cutting commuter lines, saying services on the current Southeastern network are complex.

Councillor Stef Borella questioned the impact additional freight trains will have on existing train traffic as the interchange will join the main North Kent line.

Cllr Borella, Bexley’s shadow councillor for transport, said: “The marsh is a jewel in the crown.

“Nobody consulted Southeastern as a service on these plans, and 30 new trains will create conflict. Who knows what they would have said. There is no long-term view to this plan.

"Whoever has the franchise next will be impacted, once this land is gone, it is gone. There is no going back.”

The planning report states up to seven freight trains each way can be added, with the capacity for this to rise by five or six once the line is established.

A spokesperson for Bexley Council said more detailed plans will be submitted in the future.

The spokesman said: “The application went through the usual due process and the planning control committee had all the facts before them in order to determine the application.

“This is an outline application and more detailed plans, that will include the developer’s management plan for the marshes, will be submitted at a later date. This may help to address some of the concerns raised.”