View report page

29
The number of overcrowded dwellings on the Register of
Overcrowding at the end of 1960 was 167 (173). There were 52
(55) basement dwellings on the Register.
Of the cases of overcrowding relieved during the year 7 (16)
were rehoused by the London County Council, 6 (2) were provided
with accommodation by the Borough Council, 27 (28) secured
accommodation privately and 15 (14) were relieved by a natural
reduction in the size of the family or on obtaining additional
accommodation.
The practice of sending warning letters to owners against
permitting the premises to become again overcrowded has been
continued in all known cases where overcrowding has been abated.
Section 80 of the Housing Act, 1957, gives a local authority
power, where they are satisfied that exceptional circumstances
exist which make it expedient to do so, to allow the temporary use
of a house by persons in excess of the permitted number. During
the year the Council issued 1 (-) licence under this section.
During the year a total of 275 Paddington families were
rehoused by the London County Council and 190 by the Borough
Council.
Town Planning
Three hundred and fifty-five (190) applications under the
Town and Country Planning Acts for the conversion and alteration
of premises, change of use or continuation of consent were referred
to the Department for examination and comment.
Houses Unfit for Human Habitation
No. of basement rooms dealt with by closing orders 200 (312)
No. of upper rooms closed 17 (24)
No. of mews premises closed — (2)
No. of houses dealt with by closing orders in lieu of
demolition orders 1 (—)
No. of houses dealt with by demolition orders or in
respect of which undertakings were accepted — (—)
Forty-five (65) persons were displaced as a result of the Council's
operations.
Closing Orders were determined or undertakings cancelled on
54 (79) basement rooms. Thirty-six (52) other basement rooms were
made fit without recourse to formal proceedings.
Of the 200 basement rooms and 17 upper rooms closed, 86
basement and 8 upper rooms were in premises de-requisitioned by
the Council under the Requisitioned Houses and Housing
(Amendment) Act, 1955. During the time that these rooms were
under the Council's control they were considered to be unfit for
housing purposes and were not so used. The Closing Orders were
made to ensure that the position was maintained.
New accommodation
During the year the Council completed thirty new flats at
Elmfield House (10), Ainsworth House (10) and Edward House (10).