View report page

82
On the 27th July, the Council resolved as follows:—
(а) That the scheme under Section 39 (1) (b) of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, as
amended by subsequent Acts, now submitted for the improvement of the area (more particularly
specified as the Somers Town Improvement Scheme, No. 1, 1921), including the vacant land
on the north side of Aldenham Street, lying between Seymour Street and Clarendon Street;
1-28 (consecutive inclusive), Wolcot Street; 36-39 (consecutive inclusive), Johnson Street;
gardens at the rear of 39, 40, 63 and 61, Clarendon Street; the vacant land on the west side
of Wolcot Street, lying between Aldenham Street, and including No. 44, Wolcot Street; 45-54
(consecutive inclusive), Wolcot Street; 35, 34, Johnson Sreet, and the strip of land approached
between Nos. 34 and 33, Johnson Street, extending to the party fence wall in the rear between
166 and 168, Seymour Street; parts of gardens at the rear of 140. 112 and 166, Seymour
Street; 21-81 (consecutive inclusive), Johnson Street; 188, 190 and 192, Seymour Street, and
the garden at the rear of 194, Seymour Street; the whole of the premises and land in Crawley
Mews; 54, 56, 58 and 60, Werrington Street; 35, 36 and 37, Clarendon Street, together
with the plans, particulars, and estimates relating to the said scheme, be and the same are
hereby made and adopted.
(b) That the Special Housing Committee be authorised to take all necessary steps for obtaining
sanction thereto, and that the Seal of the Council be affixed to the Scheme and plans, and the
petition to the Ministry of Health for an Order confirming the Scheme.
The Petition was lodged with the Ministry on the 29th August, 1921.
General Matters.
Prospect Terrace.— The Committee had under consideration the report of the Special
(Prospect Terrace) Committee with reference to the decision of the Council on the 25th May,
1921, to purchase the land belonging to the Governors of the Foundling Hospital adjoining
Prospect Terrace, and referring the matter to the Housing Committee with an instruction to
take steps to obtain the necessary consent of the Ministry of Health to agreements being
entered into for the acquisition of the land for housing purposes. A sketch plan was
prepared by the Borough Surveyor showing how the site could be developed, and providing
for the erection of 26 flats at an estimated cost of between £25,000 to £28,000. In the
special circumstances which have arisen in connection with the roadway of Prospect Terrace,
and to avoid costly and expensive litigation, the Ministry were rcquest on the 18th July,
1921, to sanction the purchase of the site under Part III. of the Act of 1890 as part of the
Council's Assisted Housing Scheme.
London Guild of Builders.—A. deputation was received from the St Pancras Area
Committee of the London Guild of Builders for utilizing the services of the Guild in work
to be done in the Borough. The principal object of the interview was to give the Guild the
same opportunity of tendering for any future housing schemes as was given to private
builders, in support of which it was stated that the Guild were carrying out housing
contracts with the approval of the Ministry in other London boroughs. The Committee
decided that in all future housing schemes an opportunity should be given to the Guild to
submit tenders.
Demolition of Houses.—The Committee addressed a communication to the London
County Council asking them to give instructions that in all cases of application for sanction
to the demolition of premises under Section 6 of the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919,
the Metropolitan Borough Council concerned should be consulted before any decision upon
the application was taken. The County Council adopted this suggestion, with the result that
it has been possible to communicate the observations of the Committee upon the applications
made under Section 6, which deals with prohibition on demolition or change of user of
dwelling houses. The Government have been urged to promote legislation for the extension
of these provisions of the Act of 1919, which otherwise will expire on the 23rd December,
1921.