London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bethnal Green 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green Borough]
This page requires JavaScript
22
SECTION D
HOUSING
Slum Clearance.
The Public Health Department was confronted in the immediate
post-war period with the following urgent matters—the accumulated
disrepair of properties, the outstanding war damage repairs and
the investigation of a considerable number of applications for
housing accommodation.
The difficulties associated with these matters were accentuated
by shortage of staff, of materials and labour and the necessity of
obtaining licences for building work. Nevertheless sufficient progress
had been made in these matters to enable the Department's officers
to give attention to a housing survey in relation to slum clearance.
During the year consultations were held between officers of the
London County Council and of this Authority as a result of which
a survey was carried out by the Borough Housing Inspector. The
details of the survey have been forwarded to the London County
Council with a view to securing concerted action in relation to slum
clearance sites in the Borough.
The survey revealed the following information :—
| No. of areas suitable to be dealt with as Clearance Areas | Properties involved | Persons likely to be displaced |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 1,984 | 6,983 |
In addition to the above there are two large redevelopment areas
which are being dealt with by the London County Council.
Closing Orders (Public Health (London) Act, 1936).
During the year, as a result of Police Court proceedings
instituted by the Department, 6 Closing Orders on the undermentioned
premises were made by the Magistrate :—
17, Old Bethnal Green Road
67, Punderson Gardens
44, Sale Street
100, Gibraltar Walk
61, Warner Place
20, Florida Street.