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40
HOUSING
During 1919-20, 11 Improvement Schemes were submitted to the Housing Committee,
of which one only, that known as the "Desborough Street Scheme," was adopted by the
Council. That scheme was rejected by the Ministry of Health on account of the density of
population which would ensue and the limited surface of ground available.
Houses Unfit for Habitation.—Closing Orders were made in 1919 with respect to
the undermentioned premises
Dartington Terrace, No. 3 Cirencester Street, No. 51
Desborough Street, Nos. 4, 8 and 9 Gloucester Mews East, No. 68
All the houses except 4, Desborough Street, and 68, Gloucester Mews East were little
better than shells, having been stripped by trespassers.
Demolition Orders were made in 1919 with respect to:—
Cirencester Street, No. 51 Desborough Street, Nos. 4, 8 and 9
Dartington Terrace, No. 3
An Appeal was made to the Ministry of Health with respect to No. 51, Cirencester Street,
which was upheld by the Ministry. The premises have since been made fit for habitation.
Although every effort was made to induce the owners to make No. 3, Dartington Terrace
habitable, nothing could be achieved and the premises were demolished by the Council in 1920.
Underground Rooms.—Section 96 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, prescribes
the conditions to be fulfilled by such rooms if for habitation, and the Regulations made by the
Council in 1914, under Section 17 (7) of the Housing, Town Planning, etc. Act, 1909, the
conditions required in rooms used as sleeping places. During the two years 1919 and 1920, no
action was taken with respect to these rooms under the Public Health Act, but 18 (1919, 3;
1920, 15) Closing Orders were served under the Housing Act, 4 of the Orders having been
determined during 1920 after the rooms had been brought into compliance with the
Regulations. One Order (made in 1919) was appealed against, the Appeal being dismissed
after a Public Inquiry.
When it becomes known that a house with a basement is being converted into flats, a
letter is sent to the owner of the house calling attention to the Regulations, copy thereof being
sent with the letter. In certain instances steps are taken while the work of conversion is in
progress to bring any underground room intended to be used as a bedroom, into conformity
with the Regulations.
There are many basement rooms in use as bedrooms which are known to be unfit for such
use. It is, however, recognised that with the present difficulty of securing house accommodation
it is advisable to limit action to the worst of the rooms. A number of basements—other than
those dealt with by Closing Orders—have been inspected but action with respect to the
failure to comply with the Council's Regulations has been deferred.
Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919.—Section 6 enacts that after December 3rd,
1919, no house reasonably fit or capable of being made fit for occupation should be demolished
or used otherwise than as a dwelling house without the consent of the County Council. The
Housing Committee of the Borough called the attention of the County Council to the
alterations being made at No. 1 Westbourne Gardens to adapt the premises for the printing
trade.
The attention of the County Council was also called to the demolition of the dwelling
houses Nos. 75-93 (odd) Maida Vale, which the Housing Committee held were capable of being
rendered fit for habitation and to the alterations in progress at No. 316, Harrow Road,
whereby the upper floors would be diverted from use as a habitation.
Under Section 5 the County Council prohibited the erection of a new cinema in the
Harrow Road, but the prohibition was not upheld by the Appeal Committee (Ministry of
Health) on undertakings being given (a) to build a block of new tenements on certain
houses in rear of the site and (b) not to use brickwork for the cinema. At the close of 1920
no work had been put in hand.
Tenement Houses.—These are houses registered under Sec. 94 of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, as houses occupied by members of more than one family. Hitherto
these houses have been regulated under Bye-laws made by the Borough Council under the
Section mentioned. The new Bye-laws drafted by the County Council under Sec. 26 of the
Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, will replace those made by the Borough Council, the
latter Council being, however, responsible for the administration of the new Bye-laws.