Ten-year Review of Bird Wise North Kent

1.1This brief sets out the specification of works required to undertake a full review of the North Kent Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Strategy (SAMMS). Medway Council, on behalf of the North Kent Partnership, invites quotations from suitably qualified and experienced consultants to carry out a comprehensive review of the North Kent SAMMS. The commission will assess recreational pressures affecting the internationally and nationally designated habitats of North Kent through updated visitor survey work, provide an up‐to‐date evidence base for mitigation, and produce an updated and fully costed SAMMS strategy capable of being delivered in perpetuity (defined as a minimum of 80 years).

1.2The updated Strategy will support the continued lawful delivery of residential and other development across North Kent in compliance with the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, ensuring that adverse impacts arising in combination from recreational disturbance are effectively avoided and mitigated.

1.3The commission will be delivered in two linked phases:

•Phase 1 – Evidence Review and Visitor Survey Update. A review of the existing North Kent SAMMS evidence base, including the commissioning and delivery of updated visitor surveys, bird disturbance surveys and use of additional datasets, to provide an up‐to‐date understanding of recreational use, access patterns and disturbance pressures affecting designated Habitat Sites.

•Phase 2 – SAMMS Strategy Review and Mitigation Update. A review of the existing North Kent SAMMS mitigation package and governance arrangements, considering forthcoming Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), testing the effectiveness of current measures and producing a revised, fully costed mitigation strategy for delivery in perpetuity as part of an updated North Kent SAMMS document.

1.4The Contract is anticipated to commence on 1 October 2026 and will continue for a period of 1 year.