Lewes District Council has agreed to recognise the rights of the River Ouse, paving the way for the Sussex river to become the first in England to have its legal rights recognised by a local authority.
The Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) called the decision “groundbreaking” for the UK and part of an international trend of granting rivers legal rights. Some rivers have been recognised as living entities in countries including New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Colombia, giving them intrinsic rights to exist, flow, thrive and be free from pollution.
“This is a historic moment for environmental protection in England,” said Emma Montlake, co-director of ELF. “By supporting the Rights of Rivers, Lewes District Council has set a precedent that could transform the way we safeguard our rivers.”
Montlake highlighted that the decision was “just the beginning of a journey to give the river a voice and ensure its wellbeing for future generations to come”. The next stage of the campaign will involve the implementation of the River Ouse Rights Charter and governance design that sees the river’s voice articulated.
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