Chilterns Chalk Streams Planning Guidance

A first-of-its-kind document in England, created to help protect and restore the globally rare chalk streams that flow through the Chilterns National Landscape.

Developed in consultation with a wide range of  stakeholders, this new guidance aims to support better planning decisions to safeguard these fragile freshwater ecosystems for future generations.

Why do we need it?

There are nine principal chalk streams within the Chilterns and each of these rivers are unique. None are in good condition, according to the latest Water Framework Directive assessment, and in some cases, they are in danger of disappearing altogether:
• River Ver (moderate status)
• River Gade (poor status)
• River Bulbourne (poor status)
• River Chess (moderate status)
• River Misbourne (poor status)
• Hughenden Stream (moderate status)
• River Wye (poor status)
• Hamble Brook (poor status)
• Ewelme Brook (moderate status)

The reasons behind the poor status of these rivers are numerous and complex but the key issues affecting chalk stream health are abstraction, pollution and run off, physical modification, invasive non-native species and climate change.

What the Guidance Covers:

• Why chalk streams matter – and their protection under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.
• Key planning principles to avoid harm and support positive outcomes for river health and biodiversity.
• Policy recommendations for Local and Neighbourhood Plans, covering water use, biodiversity, sustainable drainage, and development buffers.
• Practical steps for mitigating abstraction, surface water pollution, sewage discharge, and habitat restoration.

This document will be particularly useful for those involved in environmental planning, policy development, and local nature recovery.