Severn Valley regions help fund flood alert system in Somerset

Severn Valley region in the south-west has contributed to a flood alert system for the River Cam.

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley presented the cheque for £1,500 to councillors from five parish councils – through which the Cam flows – as well as Somerset councillor Henry Hobhouse, who brought the project to the developer’s attention, at Queen Camel.

The funds will go towards an app that alerts those who have downloaded it when water levels exceed a certain limit, detected by measuring devices strategically placed across the river’s course.

The parish councils represented were Queen Camel, West Camel, North Cadbury, Sparkford, and Yeovilton & District (Podimore).

The five-star builder currently has a reserved matters planning application for 162 high-quality homes for local people in Castle Cary, helping to address the area’s housing need, while providing 57 homes for a housing association.

A successful application will trigger financial contributions towards education and new leisure and recreation in the area, as well as biodiversity enhancements including hedgerow creation and woodland planting, and the provision of public open space, and an equipped play area.

The donation was made through Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme, which sees £700,000 donated across Britain each year to good causes and much-valued organisations. Recent local recipients include Caryford Community Hall, Jessie May Children's Hospice at Home, and Frome Social Services Voluntary Fund.

Carly Spear – Persimmon Homes Severn Valley Sales Director – said:

“The River Cam Flood Warning App is a brilliant initiative that will be extremely useful locally so I am delighted that Persimmon was in a position to make this donation.

“We have been in close contact with several stakeholders as we work to bring much-needed, high-quality homes to the area and I am grateful that Cllr Hobhouse raised this project as a worthy recipient of our Community Champions fund.”

Cllr Henry Hobhouse – councillor for the Castle Cary division – added:

“I want to thank Persimmon for their kind donation to this project that will help all those who live near the Cam prepare for any flooding issues.

“It is essential that developers who want to build in the area work in close concert with the community and it is a positive that Persimmon have lent a helping hand through this donation.”