Flood resilience grant scheme launched for flood-hit properties

Local residents and businesses flooded in Derbyshire during Storm Babet can now apply for grants of up to £5,000 to help protect their property from further flooding in the future.

Derbyshire County Council, in its role as lead local flood authority, is overseeing the government-funded Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme set up for properties severely damaged by flooding between 19th and 25th October 2023 – when a month’s rain fell over the course of 18 hours, causing rivers to burst their banks and inundate roads and communities. 

Effects of the unprecedented amount of rainfall (80-100mm) falling on already saturated ground were felt across the entire county during the storm, with some rivers seeing their highest ever recorded levels resulting in widespread flooding.

Now, following the launch of the recovery grant scheme last year along with discounted council tax and business rates for eligible properties, owners of buildings affected by the floods can apply for money to put resistance measures in place – such as flood doors, barriers and pumps.

The money could also be used for resilience measures, such as water-resistant plaster and replacement of suspended timber floors with solid concrete, to reduce the impact of flooding should it occur and help residents to recover more quickly.

Detailed information about who is eligible, what types of measures are covered and how to apply are available of the county council website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/pfr 

Councillor Charlotte Cupit, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Assets and Transport, said: “Storm Babet had a devastating effect on an unprecedented number of homes and businesses across the county, which is why we welcome this extra money from government to help support those affected for the future. 

“I’d encourage everyone whose property was severely damaged by flooding in October last year to apply for the grant and visit our webpage at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/pfr to find out more.”

Property Flood Resilience Repair Grants are to put measures in place over and above repairs that would normally be covered by insurance. Insurance companies can apply for the grant on behalf of the property owner, with their permission, and a surveyor will need to carry out an inspection of the work once it has been completed to make sure it meets the required standards.

Anyone unable to fill in the application online can call into any Derbyshire library to ask for a paper copy.

Further support for local residents and businesses affected by flooding – including information on mental health support, getting home insurance and flood cover and other useful contacts – is available on the county council’s website at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/floodsupport