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65
Camden Road Housing Scheme.
This scheme, which was developed on the site previously occupied by the offices of the
Gas Light & Coke Company at 7 & 9, Camden Road, was practically completed during the
year under review. It provides 22 working-class dwellings, consisting of one six-room flat,
seven four-room flats, and fourteen three-room flats, and includes a Tuberculosis Dispensary
and Maternity and Child Welfare Centre, together with five shops on the ground floor
frontage in Camden Road. The tenancies were allocated to families who were found to be
living under very unsatisfactory conditions.
Somers Town Housing Scheme—Wolcot Street Area.
The Council decided to utilise a portion of the main courtyard at the Somers Town
Estate, which had an area of about 23,520 sq. ft., for the erection of a sixth block of dwellings,
which will comprise eighteen flats. The consent of the sanctioning authorities was obtained,
and in November, 1931, the Council accepted the tender of Messrs. John Greenwood, Ltd., to
carry out the work for the sum of £7,785. It is anticipated that the flats will be ready for
occupation in August, 1932.
Kentish Town Housing Scheme.
The Council have acquired a site in Leighton Road and Lady Margaret Road, comprising
an area of approximately 25,000 sq. ft., for housing purposes. A scheme has been
prepared by the Council's Architect (Mr. A. J. Thomas, f.r.i.b.a.), and is now under the
consideration of the sanctioning authorities.
Una House, Prince of Wales Road.
Further consideraton has been given to the proposal to provide an additional floor, to
consist of sixteen additional flats at Una House, and the Architects for the original scheme
were consulted. They expressed the opinion that the proposal was practicable, but, having
regard to building difficulties, the Architects estimated the cost at £10,000. This estimate
was largely in excess of the expenditure originally contemplated, and the Council therefore
decided not to proceed with the scheme at the present time.
Goldington Buildings.
It has been found possible to provide bathroom accommodation at a number of flats at
Goldington Buildings, and it was found that the majority of the tenants were prepared to pay
a small increase in their rentals for this facility. In most cases a separate bathroom was
provided bv enclosing and converting an existing balcony, and in a small number of cases the
scullery was found to be large enough for a bath to be installed.
London County Council Housing Estates.
The Borough Council continue to avail themselves of the preferential treatment which
is given to bad cases of overcrowding and special hardship when recommended to the London
County Council. Since the initiation of this scheme in January, 1925, the number of St.
Pancras families who have been housed under this arrangement up to December, 1931, is 782.
It will, of course, be appreciated that in addition a number of St. Pancras families make direct
application to the County Council, and in many cases accommodation is obtained by this
method. The demand for housing accommodation in the central districts by working-class
families still continues. It has been found that many persons are unable to accept accommodation
in the outlying estates, as it is essential for the wage-earners to live within easy
access of their employment, and, at the present time, the extra travelling expenses involved
by living further away are a serious consideration, which prevents other applicants from
moving to the cottage estates on the outskirts.