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. However, applications need to be lodged by the end of December this year with work completed by the end of March 2015.
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.”
Anyone wishing to find out more or to start an application should contact their local district council:
• Contact Information is available online at: www.tauntondeane.gov.uk and at www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk