More than 100 home and business owners in Somerset impacted by flooding this winter will now be able to claim up to £5000 from a Government grant, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed to The Rt Hon James Heappey MP.
The Wells MP spoke in Westminster Hall about the impact the amount of rainfall has had on the constituency, in particular smaller villages such as Coxley, North Wootton, Godney and Croscombe.
Having visited a host of affected areas and convened meetings with the Environment Agency and Somerset Council (the Lead Local Flood Authority), Mr Heappey was keen to voice his constituents’ experiences, particularly after meeting with home owners who have been flooded multiple times and farmers who have struggled with the conditions impacting their livelihoods.
As a result of this, there has been much discussion regarding the accessibility of grants for those impacted so adversely.
He said: “We are used to water in Somerset and so this is not alarmist. Sometimes, it happens more than is acceptable and it is important when that happens the Government listens. Fields have been under water for months, meaning that they will not be as productive this coming summer as they would have. Farmers are going to need support, and some homes in my constituency have flooded four or more times in the last five or six months.”
As a result of this, there has been much discussion regarding the accessibility of grants for those impacted so adversely.
Robbie Moore MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, confirmed to Mr Heappey that residents in Somerset are now able to apply for up to £5000 to help pay for measures to help protect their property from flooding in the future.
He said: “I want to confirm to those constituents in the Somerset County Council area that they are eligible to receive money through the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme. The threshold has been met in the affected area and I really do want to reassure those in Somerset.”
Mr Heappey added: “I am so pleased the Minister and the Department have opened these grants for affected constituents in Somerset. The Council were unable to give financial reassurance to those affected and so I am pleased the Government has been able to provide certainty.
“I am clear this is not going to be a one-off winter and prevention measures are crucial with dealing with flooding in this area.
“It was so important the Government listened to the stories of not only individuals but farmers I have met whose livelihood has been affected by the volume of water we have experienced over the past 12 months or so.”
