CIRENCESTER is to benefit from a grant to tackle flooding.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow has announced the first communities in England to receive a share of the government’s £100 million Frequently Flooded Allowance to protect at-risk areas.

The first 53 projects will be allocated more than £26 million which will protect more than 2,300 households and businesses.

As part of this, the Environment Agency has received £40,000 towards Natural Flood Management upstream of Cirencester which will fund a study to identify potential opportunities.

Natural flood management involves protecting, restoring or mimicking natural processes.

Techniques include increasing water infiltration, slowing the flow of water across the landscape, storing water and holding back sediment.

Funding was allocated to communities where 10 or more properties have flooded twice or more in the last 10 years. 

These communities are often smaller and can face barriers to access funding due to the complexity and cost of building flood defences compared to the size of the community.

The village of Bledington in the north Cotswolds is also set to benefit

Gloucestershire County Council and the Environment Agency will receive £144,000 for the Bledington Flood Alleviation Scheme.

This will fund a study into options to alleviate flooding from the Westcote Brook, which are being assessed for feasibility, outline design, effectiveness and cost.

Ms Pow said: “We know only too well the devastating impact that flooding can have on communities and businesses, as we face more extreme weather brought about by climate change.   

“I am determined that we do whatever we can to prevent flooding that affects so many towns and villages across the country.   

“This much-needed funding will go a long way to support those whose homes and livelihoods are repeatedly threatened by flooding and forms a key part of our record £5.2 billion investment by 2027 to protect communities better.”   

Caroline Douglass, executive director for flood and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency, said: “Increased flooding is just one of the impacts of climate change we are seeing in the UK and around the world.

"Protecting people and communities is our top priority as we look to tackle this challenge."

Flooding has repeatedly caused misery in Cirencester, Siddington and South Cerney in recent years.

More than 70 homes in Cirencester and the surrounding area flooded in the winter of 2020/21.