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55
HOUSING CONDITIONS IN THE BOROUGH.
General Observations.—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
85 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accommodating the small trader and the artizan or labourer, has been
replaced by modern houses and mansions let in flats commanding high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, as soon as the property came into their possession.
Until subsequent to the War, no restriction operated, nor did any liability
attach to Estate Companies, conducting operations of this nature, to
make any provision for rehousing the working classes displaced.
In this way, during the past 35 years, some 20,000 Chelsea inhabitants,
chiefly of the working and small trader class, have been displaced and
compelled to migrate into surrounding districts.
Despite the difficulties of the problem, in Chelsea a considerable amount
of accommodation had been provided for the working classes during the
years preceding the outbreak of War. This had been effected by
municipal undertakings, by private enterprise and by the operation of
benevolent agencies and trusts.