Our #SaveLodgeHill campaign lead, Adrian Thomas, explains why the allocation of Lodge Hill for housing would have ramifications for our best wildlife sites across the country.
The nightingale aspect of the #SaveLodgeHill campaign is easy to understand - their best population in the UK would lose their home if Lodge Hill disappeared under 5,000 houses.
But what is the part of the campaign that is about SSSIs? It's a critical part of the argument, but it can all seem rather technical.
You're in luck - I'm quite a simple guy, so here it is in terms I can understand!
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Let's start with SSSIs (pronounced "triple es eyes"). They are the places in the country that have something about their wildlife or geology that makes them really special in national terms. SSSIs are identified and designated by government according to strict guidelines, so if a place is a SSSI, then you know it is important. The designation is meant to give them a high degree of protection by law.
Some are huge, like The New Forest, The North York Moors, The Wash, big bits of Snowdonia, and chunks of the Scottish Highlands. Then there are lots of smaller ones and even some tiny ones.
SSSI's vary from the awesome, such as Cairngorm mountains (c) Andy Hay
So can you build on SSSIs?
When it comes to what gets built where, local authorities (such as Medway Council) must follow national guidelines. In the case of England this is a document called the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
The NPPF says that planning should "contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by minimising impacts on biodiversity". That seems quite clear.
When it comes to SSSIs, NPPF says that development should not normally be permitted. To their credit, almost every council sticks to that 100%.
While the NPPF doesn't say that a SSSI can never be built on, it does say it is a last resort, with clear tests that a local authority would need to go through, such as proving there was no alternative.
So what is proposed for Lodge Hill SSSI?
Right now, Medway Council has their "Local Plan Development options" public consultation out, in which they say categorically that they support Lodge Hill being built on. However, what is ASTONISHING is that they fail to mention that Lodge Hill is a SSSI. You won't find a single word to say that it would require the destruction of the best site for nightingales in the country. And there is no explanation how they can justify such a plan given the national planning guidelines.
To the rich and varied, such as Arne RSPB reserve (of Springwatch fame) (c) David Wootton
Instead, their public video to help you understand their Local Plan says that they will protect and enhance the area's wildlife.
What is so alarming is that, if Medway Council allocates Lodge Hill for development, it will set a precedent for SSSIs everywhere.
As the Friends of the North Kent Marshes say, "If Lodge Hill isn't safe, then nowhere is."
That's why we need your help to #SaveLodgeHill, for the sake of protected places everywhere.
How can you help?
We need as many people to stand up for Lodge Hill as possible by 18 April latest.
Respond to the consultation: Complete the easy online action. But if at all possible, please write a fuller response to the consultation instead. You can find useful information on how to do this here.
On social media: Follow #SaveLodgeHill on Twitter and Facebook. Every retweet, share and new account you tag helps us to reach as many people as possible before the consultation closes on 10th April.