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This course of action has enabled the public health inspector to ascertain the owner's point of view,
his long and short term intentions for his property and any difficulties which stood in the way of his
co-operation in the Project objectives. The tenants' interests were, of course, also taken into
consideration at this stage and as appropriate thereafter further discussions took place between
landlord and tenant, between tenant and public health inspector, or among all three parties. As
anticipated, even where owners are willing to co-operate it is often impracticable to carry out
immediate or even early improvements or conversions in this type of intensely multi-occupied
property.
The changes brought about by the 1969 Housing Act have proved very helpful in regard to this
type of property and have opened up the way to improvements and conversions which hitherto
had seldom been possible of achievement.
The Council's declaration of two General Improvement Areas (Lanhill and Marylands) in July
should also give more encouragement to private owners since it should have the effect of extending
the area improvements from the redevelopment areas into the adjacent rehabilitation areas. Thus
the collective Project area should have even greater advantage to both owner and tenant in the
immediate future.
The response from the owners contacted so far has been encouraging and whilst there are as yet
schemes actually proceeding in only 41 houses, involving 95 self-contained units of accommodation,
there are many more schemes known to be in course of preparation and more still contemplated.
It is reasonable at this stage therefore to look forward to steady progress during 1971 when the
surveys have been completed and all the private owners made personally aware of the Project
objectives and potential.
Slum Clearance
Circular No. 92/69 issued by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in November 1969
required a return to be made of slum clearance proposals for the next four years, i.e. 1970-1973.
Based upon surveys conducted during 1969, a new slum clearance programme was formulated
and, after approval by the City Council, was submitted to the Minister in February 1970. The
programme indicated that there were 523 premises, including 192 dwellings in tenement blocks,
which were in areas proposed to be declared clearance areas within the period 1970-1973.
During 1970 the properties in the Mozart Street area were demolished and works commenced on
the Council's housing development scheme in the area.
Further progress was made in the rehousing of qualifying tenants from the Herries Street (North)
and (South) areas.
The decanting of tenants from premises in the St. Anne's Court/Richmond Buildings area has
been completed, and a hoarding erected around the site preparatory to demolition works.
A survey of the proposed Amberley Road area was nearing completion at the end of the year.
Comprehensive reports on conditions in the Archer Street, Peter Street/Green's Court/Brewer
Street and St. Michael's Street areas have been under consideration. It is anticipated that decisions
on the action to be taken in respect of these areas will be made by the City Council early in 1971.
A summary of visits in connection with slum clearance is included in Table 11, page 68.
Unfit Premises
Details of action taken during the year in relation to closing order procedure are given in Table 13,
page 69.
Houses in Multiple Occupation
(a) Management Orders, Directions and Notices
The survey of houses in multiple occupation in the Pimlico area has continued throughout the
year, although one of the two public health inspectors formerly engaged in this work was transferred
to the North Westminster Project area early in 1970 as a matter of urgency. The remaining inspector,
with technical assistance, has continued the survey in addition to carrying out inspections of those
premises within the City which were the subject of applications for loans under the Housing Acts.