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The Owners have been communicated with, with the result
that, in connection with Class 2, the houses are being, or are to be
in the immediate future, dealt with by the Owners by sale or letting,
with a view to occupation, etc., whilst, in the case of Classes 6 and 7,
the same practically obtains. There are only a few exceptions,
and these dwelling-houses have been inspected and schedules prepared,
by the Housing Inspectors. Previous consent for access
to survey had to be obtained (the premises being unoccupied), and
informal letters were written accordingly to the Owners, some of
whom have not yet replied thereto.
With regard to unoccupied premises (out of rating), many of
these represent dwelling-houses that have been closed (a) compulsorily
(by Closing Orders made by the Council), or (b) voluntarily
(by the Owners). The large majority of these premises are dilapidated
and derelict, if not demolished (wholly or in part), and, consequently,
represent "site values" only, upon which new dwellinghouses
for the working-classes could be erected by the Council,
should the Council so decide; otherwise, it would be a matter for
private enterprise with financial assistance from the Council, in
accordance with the terms of Section 22 of the Housing, Town
Planning, etc., Act, 1919—a matter for the consideration of the
Housing Committee.
Personally, the Medical Officer of Health is not in favour of
such a Scheme being carried out by the Council itself, viz., the
Council to purchase the sites, and to build new dwelling-houses
thereon, as a Housing Scheme. Such a Scheme would be piecemeal
and unsatisfactory, and unworthy of an important Sanitary District
such as the Borough of Lambeth. It would be more dignified, in
the opinion of the Medical Officer of Health, for the Council to deal
with small crowded and ill-planned areas, such as, and similar to,
those which are set out in the Medical Officer of Health's Housing
Report, 1919, and the Council's Housing Survey, 1919, e.g., Monkton
Street area (in hand), China Walk Site (in hand), Hammond Place
(closed), James Place (partly closed), Spring Gardens (repaired under
Schedules under Section 28 of the Housing, Town Planning, &c.,
Act, 1919), and Asa Place (closed).
The Medical Officer of Health emphasises the need, the urgent
need, for new additional houses being now built, so as to relieve the