Home owners and businesses in South Somerset directly affected by flooding last winter are being reminded they can still apply for a grant of up to £5,000 to help reduce the risk of flooding of their properties in the future.
The Government-funded Repair and Renew Grant scheme can provide grants for additional flood resilience or resistance measures for homes and businesses that have been hit by the floods, over and above repairs that would normally be covered by insurance. Affected residents need to apply to their local district council to bid for the grant.
Any home or business damaged by the floods between 1 December 2013 and 31 March 2014 could be eligible for a grant. There are number of criteria to satisfy – for example the interior of the property must have been damaged, applicants must not have received or applied for other sources of public or insurance funding to carry out the same work.
Even if you have already fitted new measures following last winter’s flooding you can still apply for the grant retrospectively to cover the cost.
Environment Minister Dan Rogerson MP said, “By making some small changes to your house you will reduce the chance of your house flooding in the future. Please do not miss this opportunity to protect your property.”
Ric Pallister Leader of South Somerset District Council and Chair of the Health and Housing Flood Recovery Group for Somerset said, “It is vital that anyone who believes they may be eligible contacts the Council at the earliest opportunity as the work must be completed and the grant drawn down before 31st March 2015. The Government have advised us that they do not want households to jump through lots of bureaucratic hoops and our officers will do everything they can to help property owners access this financial help.”
Anyone wishing to find out more or to start an application should contact their local district council:
- South Somerset District Council: Paul Rees on 01935 462507
- Information is also available online at: www.southsomerset.gov.uk