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38
This work involves very close co-operation between the Town Clerk, the Borough Engineer and
myself, and the satisfactory results which have been achieved would not have been possible had
it not been for the advice and help which I have received from my colleagues ; I would like to
express my gratitude for the assistance they have given.
Section 19 of the Housing Act, 1930.
Unfit Houses not Repairable at Reasonable Cost.
Outside the improvement areas, there was one house in respect of which the council accepted an
undertaking that it would not be used for human habitation. At the time of writing this report the
owners are preparing a specification of works required to make the house fit, in the hope that the
council will allow the undertaking to be withdrawn.
An order for demolition was made in respect of another house ; difficulty arose in connection
with the ownership, but in due course the problem was solved and the house was sold to a new owner,
who has carried out extensive improvements and alterations at a cost of over £300. The house is
now fit for occupation and the demolition order has been withdrawn.
Section 20 of the Housing Act, 1930.
Parts of Rouses not Repairable at Reasonable Cost.
In six houses outside improvement areas, seven underground rooms were closed for sleeping
purposes. In two cases closing orders were made in respect of separate parts of houses, and in one
case an undertaking was given by the owner that a part of a house would not be used for human
habitation until it had been rendered fit.
Clearance Areas.
(1) Corner of Adair Road and Southam Street.
The six houses in this area had been demolished before the beginning of 1934. During the
course of the year nine flats were built on the cleared site, and these were occupied by October.
(2) Barker Street.
(3) Haydens Place and Tavistock Mews.
(4) Gadsden Mews.
(5) Sylvester Mews.
During 1934 the council made clearance orders in respect of the first three of the above-mentioned
areas, and a compulsory purchase order in respect of the fourth. A Ministry of Health enquiry
commenced on the 11th April, 1934, and lasted one week, during which time strenuous opposition
was put forward by counsel on behalf of the various owners. In all cases the orders were subsequently
confirmed by the Minister without modification.
The occupants of the dwellings in these areas have been accommodated in flats owned by the
council or the various housing associations, or in houses elsewhere which the tenants found for themselves.
All the dwellings are now empty. Demolition is proceeding in the Barker Street area, and
it is expected that the houses in the remaining areas will be pulled down shortly.
(6) Bramley Mews.
This area, which contains 13 dwellings with 45 occupants, was declared to be a clearance area
early in 1935, and the Ministry of Health enquiry has not yet been held.
(7) Edenham Mews.
There are 10 buildings in this area, which provide accommodation for 34 persons. The area was
declared to be a clearance area on the 6th February, 1934. The local enquiry was held on the 30th
October, 1934, and the compulsory purchase order was confirmed subject to a slight modification of
the original declaration whereby No. 10, Edenham Mews, which had not been inhabited for many
years, was consequently marked grey on the map instead of red.
This is the only case in the council s housing programme where a property marked for demolition
has been altered from what is known as a " red " property to a " grey " one, which means that the
owner, instead of receiving compensation for site value only, is paid market value. At the time of
writing this report (March, 1935) five of the nine dwellings have been vacated.
(8) Talbot Mews.
The first part of this area was cleared and 20 flats were built and occupied by 117 persons during
1934. The remaining part of the area was cleared by December, 1934, and the erection of 44 more
flats is in progress ; they will be ready for occupation during 1935.
(The clearance areas mentioned above will ultimately involve the demolition of 112 houses
and the displacement of 774 persons. Rebuilding on three of the sites (Adair Road, Sylvester
Mews and Talbot Mews) will provide approximately 151 flats with accommodation for 600 to 700
persons.)
(9) Kensal Road and West Row.
In July, 1934, the council made a compulsory purchase order in respect of five houses on this
site. There was no local enquiry, and the order was confirmed by the Minister on the 28th November,
1934. The houses have not yet been vacated.