Following a historic win for Hampshire’s rivers earlier this year, when Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council granted ‘personhood’ rights to local rivers, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is delighted to see further progress as Southampton City Council and Test Valley Borough Council have now passed motions formally recognising the Rights of Rivers.
On 16 July, Southampton City Council voted in favour of a motion tabled by Councillor Alice Kloker, and on 23 July, Test Valley Borough Council unanimously backed a similar motion introduced by Councillor Geoff Cooper and seconded by Councillor Janet Burnage. Both councils are now committed to recognising rivers as vital, living ecosystems deserving of legal rights and stronger protection from pollution, development, over-abstraction, and habitat degradation.
These decisions mark a growing movement across the county to provide stronger legal and ecological protections for rivers, particularly Hampshire’s globally rare chalk streams like the Test and Itchen.
The motions draw inspiration from the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Rivers, which outlines key rights such as the right to flow freely, the right to be free from pollution, and the right to regenerate.
Lorna Selby, Policy & Advocacy Officer at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “Following our historic win for Hampshire river rights at Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council earlier this year, it’s inspiring to see this momentum continue across the county. The passing of river rights motions in both Southampton and Test Valley reflects a growing recognition that our rivers, and particularly our rare chalk streams, deserve stringent legal recognition and protection.
“We warmly welcome these motions and look forward to continuing our work with councils to ensure our precious waterways are protected and restored.”
Spotlight on the River Test and River Itchen
The River Test - one of the world’s most iconic chalk streams - sits at the heart of the Test Valley motion. The motion was passed unanimously at Test Valley Borough Council, supported by councillors across party lines. The Council will now resolve to embed river rights principles into council policies, particularly those concerning planning, development, land use, water management, and biodiversity
Cllr Cooper said: “This is a fantastic step forward in our efforts to protect our precious chalk streams and rivers.”
Cllr Burnage added: “Without the River Test and its tributaries, we would not have the wonderful bounty of nature around us. We must harness and maintain the rivers within the Test Valley for the sake of the natural environment, endangered species, and future generations.”
Meanwhile, in Southampton, the River Itchen - a designated Special Area of Conservation - faces mounting pressures from water pollution and development. Southampton City Council’s decision signals a growing awareness of the urgency to act.
A growing movement for river rights
These council motions are part of a growing movement across the UK to recognise rivers as legal entities with rights. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has been working with local communities, councillors, and partner organisations to advocate for river rights as a tool for stronger protection and restoration of our freshwater ecosystems.
Earlier this year, communities gathered in Winchester to voice their support for river rights on the Itchen and Meon, contributing to shaping this expanding local movement. Read more about the event here.
MP’s also gathered in Parliament Square earlier this year to call on the Government to strengthen planning reforms to protect our chalk streams. Read more here.
Take action: Support national river rights
To strengthen this local momentum, the Trust is encouraging everyone to support the UK Parliament petition calling for rivers and rias in England to be granted legal personhood. This legal status would give rivers a voice in law and offer stronger protection against the multiple threats they face - from sewage pollution to unsustainable abstraction.
Legal rights for rivers represent a bold new approach to freshwater conservation - one that places ecological integrity, long-term health, and future generations at the heart of water governance.
Sign the petition here.
