View report page

42
North Wharf Road Clearance Area.—The London County Council passed a resolution on the
18th December, 1934, declaring the area to be a clearance area.
On the 26th June, 1934, the Council concurred in the suggestion of the London County Council
that they should purchase the site under Section 1 of the Housing Act, 1930, for the purpose of rehousing,
and the Council undertook to purchase the cleared site from the County Council on the
basis of an approximate cost of £12,000. Subsequently, the County Council stated no figure of the
actual cost could be agreed for the time being, and that the question of estimating the price must
be left until the Compulsory Purchase Order had been confirmed, and the classification of the
properties for the purpose of compensation definitely ascertained. Early in 1935 the County
Council made an Order for the compulsory purchase of the land comprised in the area and the
demolition of the houses thereon. A map of the area was subsequently exhibited in the Council
Chamber. A Ministry of Health inquiry was held on the 7th May, 1935, and the Minister of Health
duly confirmed the Order without modification.
On the 6th November, 1935, the County Council stated that Section 62 (2) of the Housing Act,
1935, had altered the basis of compensation payable in respect of lands in a Clearance Area proposed
to be re-developed for housing purposes; that the reduction factor no longer operated; and that,
on the revised basis, the estimated cost of acquisition and clearance of the North Wharf Road
Area would be £19,000; The Council were of opinion that the revised estimate of £19,000 was an
appropriate figure and agreed to accept the transfer of the site on the terms indicated.
The area to be purchased is approximately 36,500 square feet. At the figure of £19,000 the
oost of the cleared site will be at the rate of £23,000 per acre. The land available for re-development,
if the absorption of the highway of Dudley Street be sanctioned, will be about 41,500 square
feet. The London County Council's requirements under their standard of accommodation, issued
in March, 1935, do not appear to encourage intensive development. A lay-out to attain the
maximum accommodation, and to preserve air space, would, so far as at present can be ascertained,
allow at the most for the erection of 65 flats, housing approximately 325 persons. There are at
present fifty-five properties on the site, a few of which are empty. The question of the development
of the site is still proceeding.
Artesian Road Clearance Area.—On the 24th July, 1934, the Council made a Clearance Order
in respeot of the Artesian Road Area, comprising Nos. 69, 69a, 71 and 71a, Artesian Road. Notices
of objection having been received on behalf of the owners and lessees of the dwelling-houses within
the area, a Public Inquiry was held at the Town Hall on the 15th January, 1935, when the notices
of objection were withdrawn. The Minister of Health subsequently confirmed the Order. The
Council have since acquired the freehold and leasehold interests in the site for £700. The tenants
have vacated the premises and steps will be taken in due course for the clearance of the area. The
Council propose to erect on the site a small block of eight self-contained flats suitable for the
occupation of the better paid members of the working-classes. Each of the flats is to consist of an
entrance hall, living room, two bedrooms, kitchenette, bathroom and water-closet combined, with
external facilities for coal storage and dust removal. Three of the flats will be capable of providing
three bedrooms by reducing the size of the living room. The flats will provide accommodation
for approximately fifty people.
Mews Areas and Individual Mews Dwellings.—On the 30th May, 1935, the Council informed the
London County Council that they were of opinion that the initiative in dealing with mews areas
and individual mews dwellings should rest with the Borough Council, who would be prepared to
undertake to survey such areas and dwellings within a reasonable time and to formulate the
necessary proceedings under the Housing Acts. Fifteen areas have since been surveyed. In twelve
cases it was recommended that the most satisfactory method of dealing with the conditions in the
areas would be by declaring them clearance areas and that the best means of dealing with the unhealthy
conditions in the three other areas would be by closing order procedure and notice to repair.
Formal notice of the Council's intentions has been given to the London County Council. The
Council have adopted the following standard of minimum requirements for dealing with individual
mews dwellings:—
(i) That the height throughout a habitable room shall be 7 ft. 6ins.
(ii) That every habitable room over a stable shall be separated therefrom by a floor every
part of which shall have between the floor joists or girders solid material 3 ins. in thickness
and ceiled on the underside with lath and plaster or other approved material. Any staircase or
structure leading to any such room and adjoining a stable shall be separated from it by a
brick wall 4½ ins. in thickness or 3 ins. breeze slabs, cement rendered.
(iii) Where a mews dwelling is over a garage where petrol is stored, the underside of the
ceiling thereof and the staircase approach thereof shall be lined with 3/16ins. compressed asbestos
sheeting.