Flood-hit areas of Devon to benefit from £2.7m in funding to protect homes

A £2.7million flood action plan to help protect vulnerable areas of Devon following severe winter storms has been approved by Devon County Council’s cabinet.

In North Devon, Barnstaple and Westward Ho! will benefit from this year’s flood risk management budget, which will focus on flood prevention projects and studies.

Exeter, Exmouth, Totnes, Cullompton, Kenton and Tavistock will also benefit, alongside county‑wide work on drainage maintenance, water quality and helping to prepare communities.

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The decision comes after a year that saw 80 properties in Devon reported being flooded during severe winter storms in January and December of 2025 and more recently this year with more than 180 properties flooded following Storm Chandra.

The action plan includes £1.1m in council revenue funding to pay for flood investigations, planning advice, watercourse regulation and emergency response, plus £465,000 in capital funding for flood improvement schemes.

There is also more than £1.1m of external funding, including Defra grants and Local Levy contributions.

The Action Plan highlights that climate change is increasing both the frequency and severity of heavy rainfall, making surface water flooding an increasing risk in both towns and rural communities.

It also acknowledges that some flood schemes, subject to securing funding, can take years to design and deliver. The council says it will continue to pursue faster, targeted measures where possible.

A central part of the plan is continued investment in property flood resilience (PFR), which provides tailored protection such as flood doors and barriers for homes most at risk. Over the past year, 20 homes have already been protected, including properties in Exeter and South Pool, with further schemes progressing in rural areas.

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It will also add to natural flood management measures such as leaky dams, wetlands and soil improvements to slow water upstream in water courses, which it says will reduce flood peaks and deliver wider environmental benefits.

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, cabinet member for climate change and biodiversity, said: “The flooding we experienced this winter showed just how vulnerable many communities already are and we face increased risk of devastating storms.

"This action plan is about learning from those events and investing in practical measures that reduce risk, protect homes and help communities become more resilient as our climate continues to change.

“The action plan builds on Devon’s Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and will remain flexible, allowing priorities to be reviewed if further flooding occurs.”

Devon residents can find advice, support and information about flood investigations and resilience measures at https://www.devon.gov.uk/floodriskmanagement