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
Camberwell 1925
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Camberwell.
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due to the lack of proper damp proof courses, bulging masonry,
settlements and grave sanitary defects, as to be insanitary. They
have arrived at such a condition that no repairs can render them
fit for human habitation. Overcrowding is prevalent in these
houses, and they are peopled by types of tenants who are not
desirous of leaving the neighbourhood.
There is no doubt in my mind that houses of this kind will
have to be replaced by tenement buildings of the most modern
type. It is true that small houses with gardens are much to be
preferred, but it is not possible to provide these amenities in some
of the Metropolitan Boroughs.
It is difficult to say how far defects are due to the lack of
proper management and supervision by owners, or to the acts of
waste and neglect by the tenant. In the same way as there are
bad landlords who neglect their property and who are the cause
of much worry to the Health Department so are there bad tenants
who pay no regard to preserving the property. Each type is
known, and on the whole it may be said that both get their
deserts. Action was generally taken under the Public Health
Acts, and no notices were served under the Housing Acts.
In cases where owners found it difficult to carry out the
repairs specified, either from personal reasons or as the result of
receiving several notices at one time in respect of more than one
property, extension of time was given for the decorative repairs
required after the more serious nuisances had been abated.
Unhealthy Areas.
Unhealthy Areas. In 1922 five areas were inspected and represented to the Council. The areas were as follows:—
| Name of Area. | Acreage. | Number of Working Class Houses on Area. |
|---|---|---|
| Woodland Cottages | .285 | 10 |
| Tiger Yard | .173 | 17 |
| Joiners' Arms Yard | .045 | 6 |
| Mayhews Buildings | .188 | 14 |
| Levant Street, Island site | .124 | 18 |
The number of persons to be displaced in these areas was
approximately 341.
In 1923 these areas were the subject of a local inquiry by the
Ministry of Health, with the result that all were condemned as
unfit for habitation. Unfortunately, no further action could be
taken owing to the lack of other accommodation for the people it
was proposed to dehouse.
The Wyndham Road Area Improvement Scheme.
In May, 1924, the Housing Committee of this Council had
before them an offer of freehold property in the Wyndham Road