‘Irreplaceable habitat’: planning bill raises fears for England’s chalk streams

Environmentalists worry that the post-Brexit legislation will allow the destruction of rare and fragile ecosystems

Walk along the gin-clear River Itchen in Hampshire and you might see otters, salmon, kingfishers and clouds of mayflies, all supported by the unique ecosystem of the chalk stream.

The UK has no tropical rainforests or tigers; its wildlife is arguably more modest in appearance. But its chalk streams are some of the rarest habitats in the world - there are only 200, and England boasts 85% of them. If you look properly, they are as biodiverse and beautiful as any rainforest.