What is an overriding interest?
An overriding interest is one which takes precedence over all other interests being claimed by various parties. A government will forge ahead and claim an overwhelming public interest where it can demonstrate one of the following factors: o A need to address a serious risk to human health and public safety; o The interests of national security and defence; o The provision of a clear and demonstrable direct environmental benefit on a national or international scale; o A vital contribution to strategic economic development or regeneration; o Where failure to proceed would have unfortunate social and/or economic consequences. Where this is the case, the interests of the individual take a lower priority. One example might be the appropriation of the government of all metal gates during the Second World War — without compensation.
