Flooding payment scheme open for those hit by record levels on Lough Neagh

Applications are now open for a one-off payment scheme of £1,000 for small businesses, recreational and community facilities and places of worship that have suffered severe inconvenience as a result of flooding, during the period 7 November 2015 to 31 January 2016.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Apr 2016, 07:47 BST
Lough Neagh floodingLough Neagh flooding
Lough Neagh flooding

The scheme, which runs until Saturday, April 30 is also available to farm businesses hit by the record levels on Lough Neagh.

Mid Ulster council been tasked with administering the scheme on behalf of the Department of Environment.

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Businesses, community facilities and places of worship will be eligible where: the items would not typically be covered by insurance, and the small business employed less than 25 people at the time of the flooding incident, and they were able to demonstrate a remedial cost of at least £1,000, and they were operating in rateable premises or premises exempt from rates.

Farm businesses will be eligible for the £1,000 payment where their land has been significantly affected by high water levels between 7 November 2015 and 31 January 2016. To be eligible, all of the following criteria must be satisfied: Only farmland which is actively farmed, that is included as part of the 2016 Single Application Form (SAF); Farmland within specified areas in townlands around Lough Neagh; Farmland within these specified townlands that was under water for at least 14 days during the period between 7 November 2015 and 31 January 2016, and Farm businesses where the area of flooding exceeds 10% or more of the total land actively farmed by the applicant.

Further details of the scheme, application forms, eligibility criteria and list of townlands can be found at www.midulstercouncil.org/floodingscheme or by calling 03000 132 132.