Inclusion of areas in the European ecological network Natura 2000 did not ban construction completely, Environment and Water Affairs Minister Djevdet Chakurov said.

Authorities would allow construction, if investment projects were environment considerate, he said as quoted by Darik Radio.

Everyone whose property was included in the Natura 2000 list of protected areas could receive a 50 to 200 euro per sq m compensation for a five-year period.

The Agriculture and Forestry Ministry would determine the amount of compensation, Chakurov said.

Natura 2000 ecological protection network is planned to include nearly 30 per cent of Bulgaria’s territory or 225 areas excluding urban settlements, vacation sites, resorts and industrial centres.