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100
HOUSING SCHEMES,
Wolcot Street Area.
The proposals of the Borough Council for improving the unhealthy conditions in this
area were initiated in 1919, when a scheme was prepared under Part II. of the Housing of
the Working Classes Act, 1890.
During the past seven years endless negotiations, interviews and discussions have taken
place with the Ministry of Health and the London County Council. In April, 1925, an
alternative lay-out to that originally proposed was made by the Ministry, and an agreement
was at last reached and the scheme was finally approved, subject to certain conditions and
modifications, by an Order dated May 2nd, 1925.
It is stated that nothing in the Order shall be deemed to constitute an approval of the
scheme by the Minister for the purpose of the Local Authorities (Assisted Housing Schemes)
Regulations, 1919, or of any Regulations amending or extending those Regulations.
The entire cost will, therefore, have to be defrayed by the Borough.
Somers Town Housing Scheme—Ossulston Street Area.
On January 1, 1925, this area was inspected by your Medical Officer of Health, together
with certain officers of the London County Council. On January 14th the following representation
was made under Part I. of the Housing of the Working Classes Acts, 1890 (now Part
II. of the Housing Act, 1925), to the London County Council, who are the responsible
authority for dealing with schemes under this part of the Act :—
Sir,
I beg to represent, pursuant to the provisions of the Housing Acts, 1890—1923,
that within the area in Somers Town, in the Metropolitan Borough of St. Pancras,
bounded by Hampden Street on the North, Ossulston Street on the East, Chalton Street
on the West, and Huston Road on the South, which area is shown outlined in red on the
plan annexed hereto—houses, courts or alleys are unfit for human habitation, and/or the
narrowness, closeness and bad arrangement; or the bad condition of the streets and
houses, or groups of houses within such area; or the want of light, air, ventilation ; or
proper convenience or any other Sanitary defect; or one or more of such causes are
dangerous or injurious to the health of the inhabitants, either of the buildings in the
said area, or of the neighbouring buildings, and that the most satisfactory method of
dealing with the evils connected with such houses, courts or alleys, and the sanitary
defects in such area is an improvement scheme for the re-arrangement and reconstruction
of the streets and houses within such area, or of some of such streets or houses.
I am, etc.,
G. Sowden,
Medical Officer of Health for the Metropolitan
To the Clerk to the London Borough of St Pancras.
County Council.
In February, 1925, the London County Council decided to make a scheme under
Part I. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890. The scheme was duly submitted to
the Minister of Health for confirmation, and a local inquiry was held by Mr. H. A. Chapman
on 11th and 12th August, 1925.
The confirmation of the seheme by the Minister, with certain modifications, was made
whilst this report was being written, by an order dated 27th April, 1926.