THE borough council have not been good at protecting Basingstoke's rivers from pollution and degradation, a councillor has said.

During a Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, January 10, Cllr Paul Harvey, the leader of the Basingstoke Independents spoke out about the problems in the borough's waterways.

He told members: "We’ve identified through the local plan process that the monitoring that this council committed to as well as by the Environment Agency has not been followed through consistently and so we lack accurate data. We have allowed applications for battery storage facilities on the banks of the River Loddon to be recommended for approval because our policies are not strong enough to pick up on the essential concerns of protecting the river from potentially toxic chemicals. 

SEE ALSO: Motion passed to put pressure on protecting Basingstoke rivers

"We worry about nitrate neutrality and pursue offsetting policies on farms down in Eastleigh rather than seek to resolve the issue at the source, so the pollution can continue as long as the developer buys credits from farms at the other end of the county."

As previously reported, the council passed a motion to sustain pressure on the government and water companies to maintain the quality of water bodies in the borough.

The motion proposed by Cllr David McIntyre and backed by Cllr Kate Tuck was passed at a full council meeting on Thursday, December 15.

To protect Rivers Itchen, Loddon and Test and their tributaries, the council has decided to request the environment and climate action portfolio holder write to:

  •  The secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs calling for the Government to urgently address these issues through the Environment Act 2021;
  • All three of the borough’s MPs, asking for their support;
  • The chief executives of Southern Water and Thames Water, calling for urgent action to address the impact of waste-water discharges on local rivers;
  • The secretary of state for environment, food and rural Affairs, environment agency and the regional director of the National Farmers’ Union requesting clarification on the action being taken locally by farmers to prevent nutrient run-off

READ MORE: Basingstoke leisure park: Plans giving backing despite wide criticism

During the meeting, Cllr Harvey continued: "I think it is now time to push back, make our policy much stronger and to really drive an agenda that everyone will recognise has teeth to protect our rivers. This motion is really good, and it is now down to what actions flow from this in your role as executive members steering this council, giving us the opportunity to help you shape policy, that will transform the situation."

Council officers are expected to respond in the coming week.