Kelsie Learney says she would support campaign to protect River Meon

City councillor Kelsie Learney has said she would back a campaign to secure Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status for the River Meon.

At a full Council meeting, Cllr Jerry Pett asked her if the city council would support a campaign to get SSSI status for the river, saying that it would give it “the same degree of protection and placing the same obligations on water companies as apply to the Itchen”.

Cllr Jerry Pett (Image: Contributed)Cllr Pett asked that the council take on a “catalysing role in revitalising the Meon Partnership”, encouraging partners to work towards the goal.

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Cllr Learney responded: “While the Itchen gains significant attention as a river of international importance, the Meon and its surroundings are a very important part of our local landscape and ecosystem but it does get overshadowed by its’ neighbouring river.

Cllr Learney (Image: Newsquest)“Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 Sites of Special Scientific Interest are determined by Natural England and are not something this council can designate.

“The Leader (of Winchester City Council, Cllr Martin Tod) and I are both happy to give our support to those campaigning to give the Meon additional protection. This is particularly important at a time when climate change and the failure of water companies to invest sufficiently in cleaning up their operations are causing extreme stress and damage to so many waterways across the country.”

The subject was raised during the city council meeting on Wednesday, January 17.