For the first time in more than 140 years, Buckinghamshire’s Hamble Brook has a large new wetland site, encompassing over 2,500 square metres of new wildlife habitat, thanks to the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project. The project has also re-naturalised over 1km of the Hamble Brook, over 16% of its length, taking in two former swimming sites, two ponds and 150 metres of connecting channel.

The project has reinstated natural wiggles in the channel, created new backwaters, removed embankments, and planted trees to help with temperature control; this has helped restore the natural character of the stream and better connect it to its landscape. Wetlands and meanders provide refuges for threatened native plants, insects, fish and mammals.