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
Kensington 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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37
which the Order applies shall be used for building purposes,
or otherwise developed, except subject to such restrictions
and conditions, if any, the Borough Council may think fit
to impose. Aggrieved owners have a right of appeal to the
Minister of Housing and Local Government.
Clearance Orders became operative in respect of the following three areas:-
| Portobello Road | Nos. 423-429 odd |
| Powis Mews | Nos. 1-13 consecutive |
| St. Lukes Mews | Nos. 30-42 even 41-51 odd |
It was felt that the erection of accommodation for
dwelling purposes should not be permitted in these three areas,
but that possibly the land might be used for private garages,
warehouses, community halls and club houses. Alternatively,
certain types of factories might be permitted provided there
was no nuisance from noise, vibration or any such cause, and
that no building should be permitted to have more than two
storeys and, preferably, not more than one.
Although the County Council are able generally to control
development under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947,
the Borough Council decided to impose the following restrictions
on the use of the land included in the above three clearance
areas:-
The land shall not be developed by the erection
thereon of-
(i) accommodation for dwelling purposes;
(ii) factories from which a nuisance by noise,
vibration, or any similar cause might
arise; or
(iii) buildings of more than two storeys in height.
Overcrowding
Since the end of the war, it has been felt that the
rigid enforcement of the overcrowding standards in the
Housing Act, 1936, is impracticable and, therefore, the
Public Health Committee approved a scheme for dealing with
the worst cases in the first place. The Committee adopted a
Modified Standard which involved increasing the "permitted
numbers" for a dwelling house by a specific amount according
to the number of rooms. This Standard has been applied
throughout although minor amendments have been made as a result
of experience gained.
All cases of overcrowding coming to notice have been
classified under four headings as follows:-
Category 1. Overcrowding under the legal
standard where alternative
accommodation has been offered
and refused.
Category 2. Overcrowding in excess of the
Modified Standard.
Category 3. Overcrowding above the legal
standard but within the Modified
Standard, where there are
special medical reasons involved.
Category 4. As in Category 3, but without
special medical circumstances.