THE number of applications for flood grants across South Lakeland has reached the 1,000 mark. 

So far South Lakeland District Council has approved more than £2million worth of work to minimise the impact of future flooding. 

The deadline for applications for £5,000 flood grants ends on 31 March and anyone who hasn’t applied is urged to do so as quickly as possible. All works must be completed and invoices received by the end of September. 

Councillor Sue Sanderson, SLDC’s portfolio holder for Organisation and People, said: “The grant scheme announced by the government runs until the end of March, so anyone who hasn’t applied still has time and the grant could really help you to protect your home or business.

“We have had a team of officers working on this scheme for more than a year now and they can explain everything you need to know about the grants, eligibility and what sort of things you could get funding for.”

In South Lakeland a total of 2,358 properties were flooded in December 2015. Of those it is estimated that around 1,900 meet the eligibility criteria for the grant scheme.

The grants are intended only to fund additional measures which improve the property’s future protection or resistance to flooding, over and above any repairs that would normally be covered by insurance.

Council officers will continue to hold weekly drop-in sessions at Kendal Town Hall on Wednesdays between 1.30pm and 5.30pm until the end of March to offer advice and support to flood grant applicants.

Cllr Sanderson added: “Our officers have been working extremely hard to inform, advise and support residents and businesses to access this grant.  I would urge anyone who has yet to do so to get in touch and make an application before the deadline at the end of March to find out how it could benefit them.’’