Work begins to improve chalk stream habitat in South Downs

Work begins to improve chalk stream habitat in South Downs

July 10, 2023

Work to establish a new wetland habitat in the National Park is well under way, with diggers on site as part of a plan to realign the Cockshut Stream.

The partnership project will bring an array of biodiversity benefits and reduce the risk of flooding in the Lewes area.

Adjacent to the Lewes Brooks, the Cockshut is a 3km long chalk stream that flows from springs at the foot of the South Downs in Kingston, eventually joining The River Ouse before flowing out to sea. The Cockshut is currently clogged up by a non-native invasive plant called parrot’s feather.

By realigning the stream, the old channel can be filled in, eradicating the problem plant, and the stream will flow into a newly created 6.8 hectare wetland, to the east of the Stanley Turner Ground.

Lewes District Council, Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust, Lewes Railway Land Wildlife Trust and South Downs National Park Authority are working together on the Cockshut Stream restoration and expect to complete the project by autumn 2023.

Jan Knowlson, Biodiversity Officer for the National Park, said: “Our rivers across the country are in poor condition through pollution and habitat degradation, so this is a fantastic project to enhance one of the National Park’s rare chalk streams.”

Councillor Emily O’Brien, Cabinet Member for Climate, Nature and Food Systems at Lewes District Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see work taking place on this project which will not only enhance biodiversity, help with flood management and carbon storage but also allow the stream to flow unimpeded, unpolluted and with its native plants and wildlife protected. I know I’m not alone in hoping that we might be able to tempt back the internationally rare Ramshorn Snail into the new habitat created.

“The area will be accessible too so that people can enjoy its natural beauty using new walkways and bridges. Everyone across the district will have the opportunity to visit, not least local school children, who will undoubtedly benefit from the learning opportunities it offers.”