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115
Re-port of the Medical Officer of Health.
RECTORY GROVE SITE, CLAPHAM.
We have carefully inspected this site and its surroundings, and are of
opinion that, although its shape is irregular in outline, and consequently a
little wasteful, it is well adapted for the erection of Workmen's Dwellings.
Its position within the area of a large industrial population, and its
proximity to so fine an open space as Clapham Common, renders it exceptionally
suitable for the purpose, and its site will be rendered more valuable
when the contemplated widening next North Street is effected.
As you have been unable to obtain leave from the owners to dig trial
holes we cannot report as to the sub-soil, or as to the prospective cost
of foundations, which is always a desirable preliminary step, but from our
personal knowledge of the neighbourhood and the enquiries we have made,
we have reason to believe that the sub-soil is gravel without much overlaying
loam, and if such should prove to be the case it would be of great advantage
to the undertaking.
In the development of the site, as shown upon the block plan, we have
the pleasure of submitting herewith, we have kept in view the expediency
of devoting a large proportion of the space to playgrounds, which are proposed
to be 4c feet wide, with entrance from Rectory Grove, enclosed by
gates, thus allowing the access to all the staircases to be from the internal or
playgrounds, and affording the best means of supervision and control.
The orientation of the blocks is such that the windows of all rooms will,
approximately, face east and west, so insuring a share of direct sunshine to
the windows of every room.
All the tenements are arranged on the Associated principle, as adopted
by the Guinness Trustees in all their groups of dwellings, that is to say, with
water-closets and laundries arranged on every storey accesible from the staircase
landings, for the use in common by the occupants of the tenements on
each landing.
Our plan provides for the blocks being five storeys in height, comprising
: ——
15 suites of 4-room tenements,
70 suites of 3-room tenements,
64 suites of a-room tenements,
22 suites of a-room tenements,
a total of 171 rooms or 420 rooms, excluding the laundries.
in addition to the above accommmodation the plan provides bath-rooms
for the gratuitous use of the tenants, a drying-room heated by pipes, and a
permanent supply of hot water in the neighbourhood of the drying-room.
A kettle-room for the supply of boiling water at meal times is also contemplated,
as well as a number of perambulator-sheds similar to those in the
buildings of the Guinness Trust.