Inspired by BBOWT’s campaign, Buckinghamshire Council has become a national trailblazer for nature, voting unanimously to protect one of our most precious and threatened habitats: chalk streams.

Often described as Britain’s equivalent of the Amazon Rainforest, chalk streams are globally rare, with around 85% found in England. Yet shockingly, only 11 of the 220 streams have any legal protections.

Flowing quietly through our countryside, these crystal-clear rivers support extraordinary wildlife and are deeply woven into local landscapes. In Buckinghamshire, the Chess, Misbourne and Wye are among those under growing pressure from over-abstraction, pollution, fly-tipping and invasive species.

The pioneering council motion, passed with cross-party support, commits the council to stronger protections for chalk streams. The motion will embed robust policies into the emerging Local Plan, strengthen partnerships with organisations including BBOWT and the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project, and call on DEFRA and local water companies to tighten abstraction rules and invest in water infrastructure.

This landmark council decision was sparked by grassroots action. Volunteers working to restore the Alderbourne chalk stream joined a Colne Valley Regional Park and South Bucks Wombles litter pick, removing van loads of dumped rubbish. That local determination caught the attention of Councillor David Moore, who contacted BBOWT after following our Save Our Chalk Streams campaign.

Buckinghamshire is the first unitary authority to adopt a dedicated pro-chalk stream motion of this kind. The decision builds on years of work by conservation groups, planners and local communities.

BBOWT’s Planning and Policy Officer Holly Gray says: “When enough people act, the Government will have to catch up and finally give full legal protection to all chalk streams. We hope to hear from more local councillors across our counties who feel inspired to take similar action in their own councils.”