View report page

110
Owing to a portion of the site being low in relation to the road, the provision
of living accommodation at this part would not be suitable, and
therefore the proposals provide for this portion being utilised as
perambulator and cycle sheds, a covered playground and a store for
dust bins. In the event of a national emergency suitable protective
measures would be taken which would enable the covered playground
to be utilised as an air raid shelter for persons occupying the flats and,
so far as space will allow, for members of the public.
The rental basis approved in principle by the Council was as follows, viz.:—
Three roomed flats—15s. per week (Net rent 11s. 8d.).
Four roomed flats—17s. per week (Net rent 13s. 1d.).
Five roomed flats—19s. per week (Net rent 13s. 11d.).
The Council, however, in approving the proposals in principle in July, 1937,
decided to reconsider the suggested rents at a later date if they thought
fit. In the view of your Committee it is considered desirable that reconsideration
should be given to the suggested rents at the same time as
the suggested rents of the New End housing scheme come under review,
and they propose therefore to submit a report to the Council on the
matter at an early date ".
New End Honsiny Scheme.
The Borough Council approved of a housing scheme on the New
End Site in 1937. This involved the acquisition of two separate
interests, viz.:—(i) that of Mrs. Lane and her co-trustees in the larger
portion, and (ii) that of the Trustees of the Ebenezer Chapel in the
Ebenezer Chapel and the cottage adjoining. Difficulty was experienced
by the Borough Council in agreeing with the Trustees' advisers as to
the interpretation to be placed upon the term "equivalent reinstatement".
In view, therefore, of the uncertainty of the expenditure
involved and the desirability of having a cleared site, the Housing
Committee pressed the Trustees to accept a lump sum in payment of
all their interests and claims so that the freehold of the Chapel and
cottage could be transferred to the Council free of restriction. It
was not, however, until March, 1938, that the Housing Committee was
able to recommend the Council to acquire the property referred to
It is the intention to utilise the dwellings on the site entirely for the
relief of overcrowding and to apply for Government and London
County Council subsidy. At its meeting on the 30th June, 1938, the
Council received a report from the Housing Committee stating that
they had instructed the Architect to prepare the necessary working