This landmark move marks an unprecedented step in granting legal rights to rivers, offering greater protection to Hampshire’s globally rare chalk streams and delivering a major victory for nature.

The Rights of the River movement acknowledges the fundamental rights of nature and our duty to protect it. It is informed by the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Rivers, which outlines rights such as the right to flow and to remain free from pollution.

Ahead of the vote, the Trust hosted a Rights of the River Forum to hear from local residents about how best to protect and restore Basingstoke’s chalk streams. Insights from these powerful and heartfelt conversations were woven into the final motion, helping to deliver a truly localised Rights of the River motion that reflects the voices and values of the local community.

“This is a turning point” said Debbie Tann MBE, Chief Executive of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. “Hampshire is home to so many of England’s iconic chalk streams, but those in the north - like the River Loddon - are often overlooked and have no formal legal protection. Years of underinvestment, over-abstraction, pollution from untreated sewage, and toxic road runoff have pushed these habitats to the brink.

“This Rights of our rivers (Chalk Streams) motion is an important first step in turning this around. It sends a clear message: nature matters, and healthy rivers must be a priority in local planning, investment, and governance. What happens in Basingstoke speaks to a bigger story across our county.

“Recognising rivers as having legal rights shows real leadership and reflects growing public demand for change.”

Lewes District Council was the first local council in England to recognise river rights (Rights of the River Ouse), setting a precedent now followed in Hampshire. This movement draws on international models in New Zealand, Canada, and Colombia, where rivers are recognised as legal entities with rights informed by the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Rivers. These include the right to flow, to perform essential ecological functions, to remain free from pollution, to interact with sustainable aquifers, to support native biodiversity, and to regenerate.

The motion - backed by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust - was put forward at Full Council by Councillor Kate Tuck and seconded by Councillor David Conquest.

Councillor Kate Tuck, Independent Member for Basing & Upton Grey at Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, said: “Not a single river in our Borough is in overall ‘Good’ condition - the current system just isn’t working and hasn’t for a long time. We need to change the way we do things if we value nature and want to see things improve, and this motion is the start. We will be working with our residents to create a ‘Declaration of the Rights of Rivers’ which will ensure a new approach and I hope will mean more weight in our Local Plan.”

Councillor David Conquest, Liberal Democrat Member for Tadley North, Kingsclere & Baughurst at Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, said: “Our rivers and chalk streams are suffering from years of neglect and mismanagement. Over abstraction, pollution and development have been allowed to impact our rivers for too long. The people of Basingstoke and Deane see the impact of this every day, with unhealthy water, reduced numbers of fish and declining habitats. This Rights of our rivers motion (Chalk Streams) is a first step that will see the council working with its partners and other stakeholders to protect our rivers.”

The motion commits Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council to develop a full ‘Declaration on the Rights of the River’ - in collaboration with key stakeholders - by spring 2026. It also calls for river rights to be considered in future planning and development decisions, particularly to safeguard chalk streams.

The motion also requests that Strategic Planning and development proposals, where they are able, will take account of the Rights of Rivers and chalk streams.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust will continue to work alongside Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council in the development of their ‘Declaration of the Rights of the River’ and is keen to build on the momentum of this motion to work with Councils across the region to protect rivers and chalk streams.

Details about the Save Our Chalk Streams campaign, led by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, can be found here.