Any new areas subsequently proposed or confirmed for these designations will also be subject to this policy provision, as would any subsequent proposed or designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Development that would materially harm, directly or indirectly, the scientific or wildlife interest of these sites will not be permitted unless the development is connected with, or necessary to, the management of the site’s wildlife interest.

Development for which there is an overriding need will exceptionally be permitted if no reasonable alternative site is (or is likely to be) available. The overriding need will be judged against the national and/or international ecological importance of the affected nature conservation designation.

When a Special Protection Area or Special Area of Conservation is affected this need must comprise imperative reasons of overriding public interest. If the affected Special Protection Area or Special Area of Conservation hosts a priority habitat or species, then the need must relate to human health, public safety or beneficial consequences of primary importance to the environment, or to other imperative reasons of public interest established by the European Commission. In such exceptional circumstances, the detrimental impact upon the scientific or wildlife interest should be minimised and appropriate compensatory measures will be required.

For more information please see the Medway Local Plan 2003