Over £35,000 has been given to a natural flood defence project in Kenilworth that could reduce the risk of the Castle Road ford filling during periods of heavy rain.

Kenilworth Town Council had been asked for £69,200 by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust in partnership with Finham Brook Flood Action Group to help fund two years of the project.

But with councillors concerned about the levels of CIL funding available, they approved funding for just the first year at last night's (12 January) full council meeting.

Addressing the most recent finance and general services committee meeting Cllr Andrew Milton explained: "It's not a reflection on how I feel about the scheme, I think the scheme is a very good one. 

"I am just thinking about cash flow. 

"I propose that we just fund the first year out of what we have now, and that we ask them to come back later."

The project, which is already underway, will see natural barriers and pools created upstream along Finham Brook to ease the flow of water during heavy rain.

It is specifically aimed at reducing the threat of flooding at homes, the Castle Road and Rouncil Lane fords, and Odibourne Allotments.

Cllr James Kennedy added: "I am completely supportive of this. 

"And just to note it is really good to have an infrastructure project that doesn't involve any pouring of concrete. 

"We always assume that infrastructure is paving things over and about walls and more concrete. 

"But we can also have good, beneficial natural structures that benefit the natural world."

The council's finance and general services committee recommended the council give £35,700 to the project from the CIL budget - the full council unanimously approved the grant.