Lewes Council Pioneers River Rights to Fight Pollution
Lewes District Council has taken a bold step to protect the River Ouse by approving a motion to create a Rights of River Ouse Charter. This initiative aims to secure the river’s health and guarantee it remains pollution-free.
First of Its Kind in England
The motion was proposed by Councillor Matthew Bird, Cabinet Member for Sustainability, and seconded by Councillor Sean Macleod at the Full Council meeting on February 20. Councillor Bird said:
“I’m delighted that Lewes is the first council in England, I believe, to pass a motion of this kind that is about valuing the river in its own right and rethinks our relationship with it. Our waterways face constant harm from pollution, road runoff, development and climate change and the health and wellbeing of the River Ouse is severely under threat.”
“This motion is the first step towards a Rights of River Ouse Charter through which the health and wellbeing of the river is represented and voiced by local communities throughout the Ouse Valley catchment.”
Backing from Leading Environmental Groups
The motion received strong support from several organisations, including the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust, Sussex Wildlife Trust, and the Environmental Law Foundation.
The concept of Rights of Rivers was introduced at last September’s 1. At the festival, locals from across Lewes district helped draft the initial charter to protect the River Ouse.
This groundbreaking move sets a new precedent for environmental protection efforts across England, putting the River Ouse’s wellbeing front and centre.
