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HOUSING
As always, this field of work continues to challenge, and requires deployment of large
resources of the department's environmental health section, Outlined in the main report are
details of the many areas represented, with public inquiries often necessary An increasing
tendency for objections to be made by affected parties to these orders has been noted placing
further demands on staff time in the preparation of full schedules of defects and the
submission of supporting evidence of unfitness Representations by the borough in its present
quinquennial slum clearance quota are in advance of schedule Other properties have also been
added, including some tenement blocks long overdue for demolition. Of particular note, is the
Council's acceptance of the representations of a large area of tenement blocks in the
Spitalfields ward which should: at last, open up this long deprived area for new development
in a few years' time, and not leave it unprogrammed to the year 2000 as was the case till very
recently. Considered with work proceeding in the adjacent comprehensive development areas,
largely the responsibility of the Greater London Council, this should accelerate the early
demise of the worst environmental conditions remaining in the borough.
Such large scale redevelopment, and its associated rehousing commitments, have often
required families to leave the borough. This is not popular for, despite the "press image' of
the area, many people have their roots in the borough and have no desire to move out of it.
However, with the early contemplated closure of St. Katharine ft London Docks, a great deal of
land (and water) will be released for housing and amenity provision in this still congested
locality. What an opportunity for a comprehensive scheme covering the frontage of the river
from Tower Bridge to Wapping Wall, and beyond, and to the north to include many acres of the
isle of Wapping. Surely, such a chance in a century demands the talents of the best planners
to provide a "new look" fitting to last for decades, and one which could set the seal for all
time by ensuring the planned use of a large area possessing a perfect riparian setting
Perhaps the day may soon dawn when a decaying precinct of warehouses, dock walls, docks,
sub-standard dwellings will become famous instead for the delights of its riverside walks.
Already the infamous district of Cable Street to the north is being eroded by new development
replacing the tawdry old. It would be a most welcome change to receive visitors wishing to
view the new wonder of London, built around one of the most ancient, The Tower of London,
already in the borough. Before such a time, much dirty water will flow down the Thames. Yet
it remains a possible goal which may still be realised.
The publication of the 'Sheldon' report during the year vindicated, if this was necessary,
the continuing work of local health authorities in the field of child health and welfare.
Many of its recommendations are already in operation here. Selected general practitioners are
playing an increasing role in the medical staffing of infant welfare clinics. Discussions on
the furtherance of 1iaison or attachment schemes of the authority's health visiting and nursing
staff to family doctors have also continued. The London Hospital is setting up an 'assessment
centre' for handicapped children, as an extension of its existing spastica clinic. The borough
council has agreed to the joint appointment of one of its senior medical officers (maternity
HEALTH SERVICES, LIAISON
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