Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Chalk Streams (UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site)

25 February 2026 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Pippa Heylings Lib Dem South Cambridgeshire

ClimateEnvironment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Pippa Heylings raised concerns about chalk streams (unesco natural world heritage site) in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • Ms Heylings moved to require the Secretary of State to nominate UK's chalk streams as a serial UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.
  • She highlighted the universal value and perilous state of chalk streams due to climate change and human activities.
  • Ms Heylings called for the listing of chalk streams in the National Planning Policy Framework.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Pippa Heylings Lib Dem South Cambridgeshire

Ms. Heylings moved to require the Secretary of State to take necessary steps to nominate UK's chalk streams as a serial UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, highlighting their universal value and current perilous state due to climate change and human activities. She emphasised the need for national-level commitment and action to protect these unique ecosystems and called for the listing of chalk streams in the National Planning Policy Framework.

Other contributors (1)
  • Pippa Heylings Lib Dem South Cambridgeshire

    Ms. Heylings stressed that UK holds 85% of the world's chalk streams, advocating for their protection and conservation through UNESCO recognition. She cited examples from her constituency and noted the work already being done by communities and civil society groups towards this goal.

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