West Berkshire District Council has applied to the Environment Agency for a licence to abstract water from the River Kennet - one of England's most important chalk streams.

The application is for a licence to abstract water from the River Kennet at National Grid Reference SU 49747 66819 to transfer it by sluice gate to Thatcham reedbeds, Newbury, Berkshire at National Grid References SU 51122 66256 and SU 51380 66237 without intervening use.

The application is to abstract water as follows:

• 86 cubic metres an hour
• 2,064 cubic metres a day
• 480,000 cubic metres a year
• at an instantaneous rate of 24 litres per second
• between 01 April and 31 March inclusive in each year.

According to the application, the water will be used for the purpose of maintaining water levels in the Thatcham Reedbeds component of the Kennet and Lambourn Floodplain Special Area of Conservation.

Some 45 miles in length, the River Kennet is one of England's most important chalk streams – there are more than 160 chalk streams in England. The River Kennet is the largest tributary of the Thames and in summer months contributes up to half its flow.

Often referred to as the equivalent of England’s rain forests or Great Barrier Reef, 85% of all chalk streams are found in England. However, the chalk streams are under increasing pressures from climate change, pollution and population growth.

The Environment Agency is now seeking comments on the application. Interested stakeholders are asked to

contact the Agency via e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it quoting the name of the applicant and reference number NPS/WR/037909 or contact the Agency by telephone at 03708 506 506 to arrange to see the application documents.

Deadline to submit comments on the application is Thursday 5 October 2023.