London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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HOUSING
REGISTRATION OF HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION
The scheme approved by the Council in 1970 was eventually approved by the Department of the
Environment and came into force in December 1972.
Meanwhile during the year detailed inspections continued to be carried out on a house to house basis
in selected areas of the borough. The original seven areas have now been further extended and three
additional areas commenced, a total of 1613 houses being involved. In these areas the owners' co-operation
is sought in securing improvements with the aid of grants. If no progress is made as a result of the informal
approach, the various Public Health and Housing Act powers are invoked.
SLUM CLEARANCE PROGRAMME 1971 -1975
This is reviewed each year and at the close of 1972 there were 871 houses in the programme. 212
houses are to be dealt with by the Greater London Council, leaving 659 houses to be dealt with by this
Council. At the end of the year 344 houses had been represented under Part III of the Housing Act 1957,
49 dealt with by compulsory purchase orders made under Part V of the Housing Act 1957, and 266 had
still to be programmed.
In 1972, the following 20 areas totalling 145 houses occupied by 265 families comprising 696 persons were represented as clearance areas, and compulsory purchase orders were made in all cases.
| Address | Areas | Houses | Families |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sussex Way | 2 | 7 | 18 |
| Fairbridge Road | 2 | 15 | 54 |
| Monsell Road | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Rhodes Street/Mackenzie Road | 3 | 20 | 31 |
| Liverpool Road | 1 | 5 | 17 |
| Liverpool Road (St. Mary's) | 3 | 13 | 12 |
| Blundell Street | 2 | 39 | 68 |
| Shepperton Road | 1 | 11 | 8 |
| Barnsbury Road | 4 | 21 | 40 |
| Baring Street | 1 | 11 | 15 |
The increase in market value of residential accommodation in the borough has meant that the comparative
benefits of rehabilitation or demolition have to be carefully weighed. During the year one area was
improved and repaired to such an extent that the majority of the houses were made fit even though the area
had been represented and a compulsory purchase order submitted to the Department of the Environment.
In consequence the Council rescinded their resolution made under Part III of the Housing Act 1957.
INDIVIDUAL UNFIT DWELLINGS
In 1972, 7 whole houses were represented as unfit for habitation and not repairable at reasonable
cost, and 56 basements or other parts of houses were similarly dealt with. Closing orders were determined
after houses or parts of houses had been made fit in 21 cases.
6 notices were served under the provisions of Section 9 of the Housing Act, 1957 requiring the
repair of unfit houses, and 36 notices were served under the provisions of Section 9 (1A) of the Housing
Act, 1957 for houses which, although not unfit, required substantial repairs.
46