Save Arena Essex - Tell Google to search elsewhere!

This hidden secret in Thurrock has no public rights of way, but much of the site has been used for many years for fishing and informal walking and cycling. It has also been found by wildlife in an increasingly developed landscape. Its 52 hectares are home to hundreds of species of invertebrates, including Brown-banded Carder Bee (Bombus humilis), Five-banded Weevil-wasp (Cerceris quinquefasciata) and the Dingy Skipper butterfly (Erynnis tages) – with many more to be found – as well as rare plants such as Endangered Broad-leaved Cudweed (Filago pyramidata) and birds such as Red Listed Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos). The nationally important invertebrate communities found at the site have been known for years, making it a core part of the Thames Estuary North Important Invertebrate Area.

However, the chequered flag was waved on the Raceway in 2018 and its future as a wildlife haven is at risk from a new data centre campus for Google. The Google-associated ‘Global Infrastructure UK Limited’ plans would lead to over 80% of its precious Open Mosaic Habitat on Previously Developed Land being lost, including areas of irreplaceable Thames Terrace Grasslands – a unique habitat that Natural England says now limited to just tens of hectares. Meanwhile, Google claims in its 2025 Sustainability Report of “Cultivating nature on our campuses” and “rebuilding nature in the very places it’s been paved over”.

The loss of Arena Essex would add it to a growing list of important Local Wildlife Sites for invertebrates that have been lost in Thurrock or will imminently be lost- threatening the long-term future of the nationally important invertebrate populations of the Thames Estuary. Key sites in this once extensive network have been destroyed for sprawling port developments, industrial expansion, inappropriate restoration schemes and housing development. Meanwhile, more sites will be lost in the coming years following the approval of the Lower Thames Crossing and are threatened by yet more port expansion as part of Tilbury 3.

Buglife is calling on Google to search for the spirit displayed in their own sustainability report, reverse course and spare this unique wildlife site and for Thurrock Council to show an urgent commitment to nature recovery and refuse this destructive application.

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