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2. "Clearance" or "Improvement'" Areas.
In last year's Annual Report reference was made to 14 areas which
had been considered by the Special Housing Act (1930) Committee and
referred to in the questionnaire issued by the London County Council
in connection with the preparation of the first quinquennial statement on
housing. This statement showed that the Borough Council hoped to
deal with five Clearance Areas during the five years, namely, Areas Nos.1,
2,3,4 and 6.
In March, 1931, the Council declared a further area of nine houses
to be a "Clearance Area" (No. 15), and at its meeting in September the
Council resolved that the Minister of Health be requested to confirm the
Order made in accordance with the Council's resolution of 23rd July, 1931.
The progress made in dealing with the areas during the year is as
follows:—
Areas Nos. 1 and 6.—Following upon a Public Inquiry held on 22nd
April, the Ministry of Health on 1st June issued the Poplar (Emmett
Street Area) Housing Confirmation Order, 1931, confirming an Order
made by the Council for the compulsory acquisition of lands which surround
Area No. 1 for the purposes of Part III of the Housing Act, 1925.
At its meeting in June the Council agreed to secure the clearance of
Area No. 1 and also of Area No. 6 by purchasing the land with buildings
thereon, and undertaking by themselves, or otherwise, to secure the
demolition of the buildings thereon and made Orders for the compulsory
purchase for the purpose of Part I of the Housing Act, 1930, of the land
and buildings.
A Public Inquiry into these applications was held by the Ministry
of Health on 22nd September. The Ministry's Confirmation Orders were
issued in December.
Areas Nos. 2, 3 and 4.— Nothing further can be done until the
development of Area No. 1.
Area No. 9.—This was one of the areas submitted in 1930 for the consideration
of the London County Council, but in view of the dangerous
condition of some of the houses they were represented to the Public Health
Committee at a meeting in July. The representation was referred to
the Special Housing Act (1930) Committee. This portion of the area,