Around 400 applications have been made in South Lakeland under a grant scheme where up to £5,000 is being offered to install measures to protect properties against future flooding.
The scheme still has a year left to run and ends on March 31st next year, and any business owners or home owners who flooded in whole or part during December’s storms and haven’t applied to the scheme are being encouraged to find out more.
The Prime Minister announced in December that the government would be funding the scheme, which was amended in January to include business premises as well as residential properties.
The scheme and its application criteria have been devised by central government and South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) has been tasked with administering the grants.
SLDC has been working with insurance companies which are submitting grant claims on behalf of customers and social housing landlords applying on behalf of tenants, as well individuals and businesses. So far around 400 applications have either been approved or are currently being processed.
The grants are intended to fund additional measures which improve the property’s future protection or resistance to flooding, over and above any repairs to flooded properties that would normally be covered by insurance.
The grant money is intended to be spent on improving the property’s resilience – which means not necessarily keeping flood water out, but ensuring that if the property floods again in the future the flooding will cause less damage and the property owner will be able to return much quicker.
An SLDC spokesman said: “At this early stage of the scheme it is encouraging that around 400 applications have been made for the £5,000 resilience grant.
“The government scheme ends in a year’s time but we would urge people to apply as early as possible so that the resilience measures can be installed, which should ensure that your property is better protected from the effects of any future flooding.
“Although there is no requirement for a survey in order to apply for a resilience grant, having one done will avoid someone potentially using the grant money to install measures they think will help, but in fact make little difference.
“This is especially true if your property is attached to a neighbour, for example if it is part of a terrace. There is little point installing resilience measures at your property if your neighbour doesn’t, as you could still flood via the neighbour’s property.
“In these situations we are urging people to consider working with neighbours to come up with a community solution, possibly by installing complementary measures, or measures that will help to protect the whole street. Again, a surveyor will be able to advise on the best way to protect groups of properties.
“Our officers will also help to support community schemes to ensure the best possible measures are installed, so if a group of residents or businesses wish to nominate a representative and get in touch we can offer help and advice with the application.
“Each property and location will have different requirements depending on the nature of the flooding in a particular area, so having a bespoke survey is the best way to ensure you’re protected as much as possible.
“There is also an expectation from central government that putting in appropriate flood resilience measures should be recognised by insurers to ensure property owners get the best possible deal on flood insurance in the future.’’