Deluged town still awaits flood grants one year on

A town that was hit by catastrophic flooding a year ago has so far received no money from a government grant scheme, a council has said.

More than 100 properties in Ryde were deluged early on 25 October 2023.

Isle of Wight Council said no money had been paid under the government's Property Flood Resilience Grant scheme, although residents and business owners had received more than £370,000 in other flood benefits.

Both the council and the government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) declined to comment further.

In total, 107 properties were flooded internally when unexpectedly heavy rain overwhelmed Monktonmead Brook, the council previously reported.

Those affected included a pregnant nurse, who had to dive underwater to escape her basement flat, and a pub landlord whose cellar was flooded "right up to the ceiling".

In November 2023, the council said it was opening applications for financial support.

Dan Thomas previously said he received a £500 flood relief payment and a three-month exemption from council tax.

However, he failed to win a Property Flood Resilience Grant for protection measures, worth up to £5,000.

He told BBC Radio Solent: "What you needed to do was allow an organisation... to come and do an audit of your property and they would put forward a plan.

"You would have to pay this organisation, I think it was about £800 or £900 for them to come and have a look and survey your property.

"You don't know... whether they're saying you've got to spend £20,000 in order to beef up your flood defences or £2,000.

"But you would only get back the £800 or £900 that you paid for the survey if you went along with their work, regardless of whether you agreed with the work or not."

Mr Thomas said he decided to apply for the scheme, but the organisation lost his application.

Isle of Wight Council said some claims under the Property Flood Resilience Grant scheme were still pending.

It said it had paid out £372,554.21 through other schemes, including recovery grants and council tax and business rates discounts.

The authority administers the government schemes, which are fully funded by DEFRA.

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