There’s been positive coverage by BBC Look North, Eastern Daily Press and other regional titles of yesterday’s announcement that the government is extending the Property Flood Resilience (PFR) scheme by nine months to take into account delays to repair work and the additional pressures placed on local authorities by coronavirus.
The extension will provide reassurance to eligible communities across the country affected by the flooding in November 2019 and Storms Ciara and Dennis in February 2020, giving them more time to carry out repairs and build back better.
The grants of up to £5,000 are a contribution towards making a property more resilient to future flooding, such as putting in flood doors and raising electrics from ground level.
The new deadline for applications from communities flooded in November 2019 is now 31 December 2021, while those flooded in February 2020 have until 1 July 2022.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:
“Whilst the pandemic has affected us all, those who endured the hardship of flooded properties in the weeks and months ahead of coronavirus bore an even greater burden than most.
“The £5,000 grant enables people to make their homes and businesses more resilient and better protected from future flooding. This is about helping them build back better and greener, while also providing a boost for local economies.”
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