Charities have accused the Prime Minister of making “misleading” claims about rare spiders and conservation efforts blocking a major housing development.

Writing in the Telegraph, Sir Keir Starmer suggested plans for 15,000 new homes in Ebbsfleet, Kent, had been halted by the discovery of endangered spiders.

He cited the case as an example of unnecessary restrictions on development.

“Take the project in Ebbsfleet to build more than 15,000 new homes… The plan was blocked by Natural England,” Starmer said.

“Why? The discovery of a colony of ‘distinguished jumping spiders’, the dream of home ownership for thousands of families, held back by arachnids.

“It’s nonsense, and we’ll stop it.”

The Kent Wildlife Trust called Starmer’s example an “oversimplification” of the situation and emphasised the majority of the planned homes are still progressing.

Emma Waller, planning and policy officer at the Kent Wildlife Trust, said: “It is disappointing to see this complex issue misrepresented. The vast majority of the 15,000 homes are going ahead.

“However, 1,300 homes were proposed for development on the Swanscombe Peninsula, a designated site of special scientific interest.

“The distinguished jumping spider is not found in the area where those homes were proposed but in other protected parts of the SSSI.”

Waller said all of the SSSI, including where the 1,300 homes were planned, were vital habitats that the charity cannot afford to lose.

Jamie Robins, programmes manager at the conservation charity Buglife, said: “It is disappointing to see the Prime Minister again pit nature against growth.

“It is more important than ever to protect our wildlife, we can do this while also creating homes for people in the right places.

“Making false claims about critically endangered ‘jumping spiders stopping an entire new town’ is misleading and incorrect.”

Robins said the claims also undermined public confidence in the protections and binding commitments conservation charities have for nature and the important role of Natural England.

An RSPB spokesperson said: “Time and again we’re hearing about places the Prime Minister is happy to concrete over, yet silence on the habitats that must be protected from development.

“The habitats that underpin our economy, our health and wellbeing, and will help us mitigate climate change. 

“The RSPB, and many millions of people across this country, care deeply about our wildlife and the important sites for nature we have left. But does Sir Keir?”

Downing Street has been contacted for comment.