Residents can find out more about a new scheme to help homes and businesses become more flood resilient at a free event today.

Cornwall Council is leading the new South West Property Flood Resilience Pathfinder project to create a demonstration hub, web portal and other measures to make it easier for residents and businesses to adopt measures like flood doors, hard floors and electrics raised off ground level.

Rob Nolan, cabinet member for the environment and public protection, said: “The South West Property Flood Resilience Pathfinder project will enable us to create a foundation for change for residents and businesses across the region to improve their flood resilience.

“The project covers both Cornwall and Devon we will be supporting Cornwall Community Flood Forum and Devon Community Resilience Forum to engage with communities demonstrate the benefits of being proactive in protecting homes and businesses from flooding. 

“Come along to this free event and find out more about how you can make your homes and properties more flood resilient.

“Over the next 18 months we will be giving more updates through the Community Flood and Resilience Forums.”

The innovative scheme running until March 2021 will benefit homes and businesses in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and Devon, and is one of only three projects of this type funded nationally.

It will be delivered with support from the Environment Agency and lead local flood authorities from the South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.

Cornwall Council will launch the project today at Cornwall Community Flood Forum’s annual conference at Penzance One Stop Shop, St John’s Hall.

The council’s flood and coastal resilience lead, Dave Watkins, will introduce the scheme during one of the morning presentations and in the afternoon there will be opportunities to learn more through interactive workshops.

The event runs from 9.30am to 4pm and is free to attend. Bookings can be made on Cornwall Community Flood Forum’s wbsite, or on Eventbrite.