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30
C—THE AYLESBURY PLACE AREA.
On December 11th, 1897, Dr. Glaister made an official representation
under Part I. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act,
1890, with respect to an area abutting on St. John Street, and
comprising houses in Jerusalem Court, Bishop's Court, Aylesbury
Place, St. John Street, Albemarle Street, Aylesbury Street and
Jerusalem Passage. The representation was considered by the
London County Council who forwarded a reply to the effect that
the area was not of such a character as to be of general importance
to the County of London, and should therefore be dealt with by a
scheme under Part II. of the Act. After negotiations and further
consideration the Council decided on March 28th, 1899, that the
area should be dealt with under Part I. and instructed the Housing
Committee to prepare a scheme for dealing with the insanitary courts
and alleys. The represented area is very largely composed of
business premises, which occupy almost all the frontages, the
houses inhabited by the working classes lying for the most part in
the rear. As the London County Council, on July 25th, 1899,
resolved to widen St. John Street between Aylesbury Street and
Albemarle Street in connection with the construction of a double
line of tramways, the Housing Committee confined themselves to
preparing a scheme to the insanitary portions of the represented
urea.
This scheme was sealed on November 2nd, 1899. After the
publication of the necessary advertisements and the service of the
notices required by the Act a petition praying for the confirmation
of the scheme was forwarded to the Secretary of State for Home
Affairs in January, 1900. A Commissioner (Mr. H. T. Steward)
was appointed, and the Local Inquiry as to the accuracy of the
representation and the sufficiency of the scheme was held at the
Holborn Town Hall on March 15th, 1900.
Owing to the death of the late Dr. Glaister, the Chairman of the
Public Health Committee (Mr. Evan Jones, M.R.C.S., D.P.H., etc.)
was on February 22nd authorised by the Vestry to act as their
Medical Officer for the Purposes of this scheme and give the
necessary evidence at the Inquiry.