Grants available for flood protection

A DEADLINE for consultations on a flood protection scheme to help protect homes and businesses which have been hit by deluges has been extended.

People now have until the end of October to apply for funding to protect their homes and businesses as the deadline to register an expression of interest has been pushed back.

The public flood resilience ( PFR) grant pays up to £ 5,000 to help property owners install measures which can help protect them from future flooding.

The work should reduce the risk of damage and make properties easier and cheaper to clean up if they do flood again.

Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for climate change and resilience, Coun Scott Patient, said more than 1,200 properties in the West Yorkshire district were affected by flooding caused by Storm Ciara in February this year.

He said: “As we head towards autumn and winter, it’s increasingly important to be mindful of the continued risk of flooding and do all we can to increase our resilience.

“I’d encourage all eligible property owners to take advantage of this grant support and express their interest in this scheme as soon as possible.

“Up to £ 5,000 could be available to help install measures such as door barriers or air- brick covers to minimise the damage of any future flooding.”

The PFR grants are only normally available to first- time applicants. Properties which have previously benefited from a recovery grant will only be eligible for further support in exceptional circumstances.

All such requests will be considered on a case by case basis, the Government has said.

Eligible applicants will need to appoint a flood assessor and/ or surveyor.

Residents and businesses can register for the scheme on Calderdale Council’s website.