London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Fulham 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Fulham Borough]
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owners and tenants were invited to a meeting held at a School in the area and a large attendance
resulted The Council's plans were expounded and a plea made for maximum co-operation.
Numerous questions were raised, most of which had been anticipated in Circular 42/62.
Would loans be available in addition to grants? What happens when there is no room for a bathroom?
What rent increases would be involved? Supposing elderly tenants did not wish to be disturbed?
There followed a prolonged period of consideration of individual cases. Council's officers
conducted a vast correspondence and separately interviewed the owners, and/or their professional
advisers, of 94 of the premises. Many site meetings took place.
The Minister had warned that such projects can be very hard work and that resistances
would be met. In the event this proved to be the case Nevertheless, gradually and painstakingly
this particular area plan has reached a stage where some success can reasonably be anticipated.
Already some of the larger owning interests have either instructed architects or surveyors to
prepare improvement schemes or have discussed the sale of their premises to the Council. Some
owners of individual premises have come to terms with their tenants and provided additional
sanitary facilities. With the preliminaries over, next year should see further worthwhile practical
results.
The second area surveyed comprised 360 two-storeyed premises, almost all owned by one
company. After the few sanitary defects found had been dealt with, the responsibility for further
exploring the possibility of effecting improvements was taken over by the Housing Committee
which is being advised by the Borough Architect.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES
There are no common lodging houses in the Borough.
DWELLINGS COMPLETED BY THE COUNCIL BETWEEN
Ist JANUARY AND 31st DECEMBER, 1963
Information supplied by the courtesy of the Borough Architect and Director of Housing Mr. E. A. H. MacDonald, A.R.I.B.A., F.I.Hsg:-
| Estate | Date Completed | No. of Dwellings | Rooms | Total Rooms | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||
| Ethel Rankin Court | 30.3.63 | 9 | 3 | – | 3 | 3 | 24 |
| Cobbs Hall | 20.4.63 | 30 | 15 | 5 | 10 | – | 55 |
| The Grange | 11.5.63 | 36 | 4 | – | 32 | – | 100 |
| 24½26, Matheson Road | 14.12.63 | 6 | – | – | 6 | – | 18 |
| 81 | 22 | 5 | 51 | 3 | 197 | ||
Under the Housing Act, 1957, the Council is continuing to acquire property for general
housing needs. Some 41 properties were acquired in 1963 which at the time of purchase provide
accommodation for 50 family units. After improvements these dwellings will provide 56 family units.