Development which would affect an existing or proposed Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or Ramsar site will be subject to the most rigorous examination. Development or land use change not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site and which is likely to adversely affect the integrity of the site will not be permitted unless:
Where the site concerned hosts a priority natural habitat type and/ or a priority species, development will not be permitted unless the Authority is satisfied that it is necessary for reasons of human health or public safety or for beneficial consequences of primary importance for nature conservation.
6.6 PPG 9 Nature Conservation states that Local Plan Policies should place particular emphasis on the strength of protection afforded to international natureconservation designations.
6.7 The Upper Solway is designated under the Ramsar Convention as a Wetland of International Importance, and under the terms of the European Community Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and under the European Habitats Directive as a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC). These latter two designations are of European importance and together will form part of a network of internationally important wildlife sites within the European Union which will be known as Natura 2000. Other SACs within the District are Butterburn Flow, Caudbeck Flow, Christianbury Craggs, Spadeadam Mires, Gowk Bank and Walton Moss. Gowk Bank is also designated as a National Nature Reserve. Candidate SACs include Bolton Fell Moss, Geltsdale and Glendhu Fells, (part of the North Pennines Moors), and the River Eden and its tributaries.
