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88
(2) Number of dwelling houses in which defects were
remedied after service of formal notices—
(a.) by owners 198
(b.) by Local Authority in default of owners 0
C. Proceedings under sections 11, 14 and 15 of the Housing
Act, 1925.
(1) Number of representations made with a view to the
making of Closing Orders 0
(2) Number of dwelling houses in respect of which Closing
Orders were made 0
(3) Number of dwelling houses in respect of which Closing
Orders were determined, the dwelling houses having
been rendered fit 0
(4) Number of dwelling houses in respect of which Demolition
Orders were made 0
(5) Number of dwelling houses demolished in pursuance
of Demolition Orders 0
Staff.—The staff engaged on housing work during the year consisted
of four Sanitary Inspectors, each carrying out all the duties of a Sanitary
Inspector in the district allocated to him. One of these was mainly
engaged in duties connected with the Housing Regulations, 1925.
General Housing Conditions.—It is difficult to discuss the subject
of housing in Chelsea without some understanding of the peculiar conditions
which appertain to the district.
Probably in few London boroughs have there been so many alterations,
consequent on demolitions and reconstructions, during the past SO years,
as in Chelsea. The process of reconstruction is still in progress, though
largely suspended by the operation of the Rent Restriction Acts. The
developments which have taken place have arisen from the fact that a
very considerable proportion of Chelsea is comprised within the areas of
two large estates—the Cadogan Estate and the Sloane Stanley Estate.
Many of the building leases on these estates were granted early in the
19th century and a large number have already expired. A certain
proportion of demolition of small property has been due to the acquisition
of land by large trading corporations, but up to the present this has
not been a factor of any great magnitude.
Owing to the proximity of the eastern boundary of the Borough to
Hyde Park and Belgravia, and to the attractiveness of the Embankment
forming the southern boundary, residential values in these neighbourhoods
have greatly appreciated in recent years, the price of land has been
correspondingly increased, and the old type of small house, accommodating
the small trader and the artizan or labourer, has been replaced
by modern houses and mansions let in flats commanding high rents.
The process of development has been largely in the hands of Estate
Companies, who have purchased the reversionary interests of the ground
landlords, and proceeded to carry out the demolitions and reconstructions,