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98
The Ministry of Health having approved of the site, the Council
on 17th July authorised the Committee to go forward with the
acquisition of the land and the erection of dwellings. However, on
25th August, the Ministry of Health wrote to the Borough Council
stating that the Ministry had received a communication from the
Guardians of Hampstead with reference to the use of the New End
Site for housing purposes; stating that the question had been referred
to the Poor Law Branch, and that, in view of the present uncertainty
us to the ultimate use which may be made of the Hampstead Workhouse,
the Ministry thought it advisable that the Borough Council
should defer consideration of the site for the present.
To this course the Housing Committee did not agree, and a
deputation of its members was appointed to wait upon the Ministry on
the subject. The Ministry, however, decided that it was undesirable
to proceed with this Scheme at that time, and they therefore were of
opinion that no useful purpose would be served by the suggested
Deputation.
The Town Ward scheme, so far as it concerned the remodelling of
the Golden Square site and adjoining premises had been materially
affected by the action of an owner of part of the properties who himself
carried out extensive alterations. The Committee had therefore decided
to confine their activities in this particular locality to Silver Street, it
being proposed that the population to be dis-housed while the property
was being rebuilt should have the first opportunity of removing to the
dwellings to be erected on the site known as the "Workhouse Garden"
in New End; but in view of the Ministry's communication, as detailed
above, the matter has been postponed pending further developments.
South End Green.— The ground partly occupied as a fair was
considered as a possible housing site. The owners, the London and
North-Western Railway Company, on being approached with a view to
the acquisition of the land, offered it to the Borough Council for
£4,750, which offer was accepted.
The approval of the site by the Ministry having been obtained,
the Council's architect was instructed to prepare plans, and these have
been agreed upon with the Ministry and approved by the Borough
Council.
When the buildings are erected here, it will be possible to offer
accommodation to occupants of the scheduled houses in the Town Ward,