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in the best position to visualise the housing situation of London
as a whole, and that the most satisfactory method of dealing
with the conditions existing in the Metropolitan area was to
regard the problem as a matter to be considered and dealt with
by treating the County of London as a single unit. The majority
of the Metropolitan Boroughs are entirely built up, and the few
that are not, have comparatively little vacant land left for
building purposes.
The view was taken that to provide additional housing accommodation,
the acquisition of properties with large gardens and.
the replacement of existing houses by the erection of blocks of
tenement buildings on the land on which they stood was the
solution in Camberwell for a further supply of dwellings.
The London County Council appeared to have shared this view
as they acquired 25½ acres and erected accommodation consisting
of 1,173 dwellings. At the same time, houses were being
erected privately for sale. Unfortunately, this rate of progress
in house-building came to an abrupt end when war was declared
in 1939. With the easing of the position with regard to building
materials and labour after the war, the erection of new accommodation
was re-commenced in 1947. The number of dwellings
erected in Camberwell at 31st December, 1951, was 2,635, of
which 2,098 had been built by the London County Council
and 537 by the Borough Council. In addition, 1,131 prefabricated
bungalows had been erected and 238 war-destroyed
dwellings re-built. Additional dwellings are in the course of
erection and if no further war holds up building activities, it is
certain that, with the assistance of the Town Planning Scheme,
Camberwell families will have far healthier conditions in which to
live than they had in the years 1922 to 1952. The only criticism
that may be made is that necessity will compel them to live in
modern flats instead of houses with gardens.
Individual Unfit Houses and Parts of Premises.
From the commencement of Housing Act activities by this
Council to 31st December, 1951, the following action was taken
in respect of individual unfit houses and parts of premises which
were not capable of being rendered fit for human habitation at a
reasonable expense:—
Individual unfit houses not repairable at reasonable expense:—
(a) Demolition Orders made ... ... ... 28
(b) Undertakings accepted:—
(i) not to use for habitation 9
(ii) to render fit 19 28