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76
With regard to the two sub-areas, Grotto Place and Princess Place,
there can hardly be two opinions as to the desirability of getting rid of
them, both from the high death-rate that is present among the population
and the closeness of the courts which are narrow and closed at one end,
and therefore do not admit through ventilation. In the other portion of
the main area, although King's Court and Queen's Court are wide and the
houses have plenty of light and air, the buildings are of such a depraved
type that I think this portion should be included in any scheme. Further,
in consideration of a scheme for clearing an area, it would hardly be
practicable to cut out the portion I have mentioned, leaving a total
absence of frontage which is given by the inclusion of the one side of
Sturge Street and the portion of Great Suffolk Street. The Victoria
Buildings and the " Moonrakers" P.H. should be omitted from the
scheme. To take Grotto Place Sub-Area alone under a scheme would do
but little good as the area is so small, and to take it under Section 32 of
the Housing of the Working Classes Act to close and demolish the houses
would hardly meet the case, as the owners would simply rebuild without
very much modification.
I have thought carefully over this matter, and I am of opinion that
any scheme proposed for the amelioration of the conditions present in
this district should embrace the largest area, that is the King's Court
Area.