A Sussex river’s rights have been officially recognised by its local council for the first time in the UK.
Lewes District Council says it is championing a Rights of River Charter for the Ouse – bestowing eight new rights on it including the right to be free from pollution and to native biodiversity.
But unless national law is changed, the charter will have no legal impact and will not legally have to be taken into consideration in any council decision-making.
Instead, the council says it hopes it will help “change the conversation” in relation to how we treat our waterways.
Councillor Emily O’Brien, cabinet member for nature at Lewes District Council, said: “This pioneering charter is the result of collaboration involving numerous working partners, each with a shared purpose and determination to enshrine the importance of the River Ouse for generations to come.
“It is a very proud moment for me and many others to celebrate this charter for a landmark waterway that has such resonance and influence in Lewes district, and I hope that our council’s support will mark another step on the journey to change the conversation, so that one day a change in the law will mean the interests of nature are fully recognised.”
In a report outlining the background to the decision, the council’s deputy chief executive Ian Fitzpatrick said: “There is environmental protection legislation and a regulatory framework in place which is arguably fit for purpose. However, commitments to nature made locally may influence the national conversation on the state of our rivers, landscapes and seas.”
He added: “Support does not [legally] bind the council or fetter its discretion.”
The charter has been co-developed with campaign group Love Our Ouse and other local partners, following a 2023 council motion which agreed the development of a Declaration on the Rights of the River Ouse.
Significant contributions to the development of the Charter have included a programme of consultation organised by Love our Ouse. The team ran workshops and public events along the Ouse, including a community River Mapping exercise, a Rights of Rivers Summit and session to develop the Rights of River Charter.
Matthew Bird, director at Love Our Ouse, said: “Love Our Ouse hopes that Lewes District Council’s pioneering support of the Ouse Charter is an inspiration for all local and national communities connected to the river and we look forward to working with stakeholders across the catchment on signing up to and implementing the charter.”
Lewes District Council has worked with partners for many years to make the landscape in the Ouse catchment more resilient in a sustainable and cost-effective way, including the reduction of peak flows using natural flood management measures.
Most notably, the council and Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust delivered the award-winning restoration of the Cockshut chalk stream and the creation of six hectares of wetland.
Peter King, Director of the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust, said: “We are delighted that Lewes District Council supports the principles behind the Ouse Charter, reinforcing their existing commitment to nature restoration.
“Congratulations must go to Love Our Ouse for directing this effort and to all those involved in the process, moving river health even higher up the local agenda can only be good for all those who live and work in this amazing landscape.”
The Charter also recognises the health of the river catchment and all the ecosystems and wildlife that exist within it. To this end, Lewes District Council supports the Wilder Ouse programme, an initiative that is delivering nature-based solutions to create a Nature Recovery Network.
The project is hosted by Sussex Wildlife Trust and involves a small team of experts working with communities and landowners to help people and wildlife by restoring ecological connectivity, ecosystem function and building climate resilience.
