Buckingham Town's DEFRA grant award

Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) have succesfully lobbied for and been awarded a proportion of the £3million made available by DEFRA for flood defences & protection.  AVDC have been allocated  £325,000 to fund the surveying and subsequent defence of 57 of the worsed effected properties in BUCKINGHAM TOWN.  Each of the 57 properties involved would undergo a specialist building survey to establish the potential flood risks and  recommendations would be made on the possible improvements that could be made to help defend the property.   

This award WILL NOT be used for improvements to the river or town infrastructure - it is purely for the protection of individual properties.

It is envisaged that each of the 57 selected properties could receive upto £5,700 - with a proportion of this being earmarked for administration fees and the initial building survey.  On average £4,000 - £4,500 would be available for the purchase of  air brick covers , flood boards/door guards and non-return valves. 

It is unclear at this stage what the selection criteria is for these 57 properties, however AVDC suggest on their web site that the decision will be made in conjunction with the Buckingham Flood Action Group - AVDC statement - Buckingham Flood Action Group can be found here: www.buckinghamfloods.org

AVDC are working with Defra and the environment agency to establish a selection criteria and to determine which properties should receive the award.  Initial suggestions are that this would be for properties that have a 5% risk or annual flooding.

As an additional note: AVDC should be applauded for their continued perseverance and resulting success is obtaining the largest percentage of the grant in the UK.  All of which is being used for BUCKINGHAM TOWN.