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
Feltham 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Feltham]
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10
CHIEF PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT
Housing—Demolition and Closure
Action within the framework of the Council's programme
for dealing with unfit houses was continued, details
of which are given below.
The rate of progress was slower due to the reduced
building programme as it was not considered advisable to
condemn houses too far in advance of the Council's ability
to rehouse the occupiers. In connection with this rehousing
it was decided to include in current building projects some
provision for persons living on their own, a class which is
always represented in any group of cottages condemned.
The advent of the new Rent Act, with its increased
rents, will also increase house valuations and it was hoped
that as a result it would be possible, once the Act was fully
in operation, to deal with some of the unfit houses by way
of repair instead of demolition.
From 1946 until the end of 1957, 227 houses had been dealt with as follows:—
| Demolition Orders made | 197 |
| Agreements entered into with owners to "close" or repair or Closing Orders made | 30 |
| Houses demolished as a result of formal or informal action | 176 |
| Persons who have been displaced | 613 |
| Action taken during 1957 is as follows:— | |
| Houses reported to Public Health Committee as being unfit | 45 |
| Demolition Orders made | 8 |
| Closing Orders made | 1 |
| Houses demolished as a result of formal or informal procedure under Section 17 (1) | 23 |
| Houses closed under Sections 16 (4), 17 (1), and 35 (1) | 0 |