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194
Annual Report of the London County Council, 1910.
consent to the sale of about 12 acres of the Norbury estate and about 180 acres of the White Hartlane
Estate, Tottenham, on the understanding that a sum of money equivalent to that received from
any such sale should be expended on the housing of the working classes under Part III. of the Housing
of the Working Classes Act, 1890. In reply to the application the Board stated that in its opinion
the Council had no power to apply the sale proceeds otherwise than in or towards the purchase of other
lands under Part III. of the Act, and that as the Council apparently contemplated applying the money
not in this way but for some other purpose of Part III., the application as it stood seemed to be one to
which effect could not be given. Having regard to the view taken by the Board the Council felt that
it could not take any further action as regards the proposed sale as the law then stood ; but the
circumstances have since altered owing to the passing of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1S09,
and the Board's objection no longer applies. Section 32 of the new Act provides that where any
land vested in a local authority for the purposes of Part III. of the Act of 1890 is sold under section
60 of that Act (which relates to the sale and exchange of lands), the proceeds may be applied not
only as provided in that section, but also for any purpose, including repayment of borrowed money
for which capital money may be applied and which is approved by the Local Government Board.
The Council reviewed the whole situation on 26th July, 1910, and, while still of opinion that
some of its housing estates were too extensive to admit of their being developed within a reasonable
period, came to the conclusion that it would be unwise to endeavour to sell such a large proportion
of the land, especially as it was doubtful whether a purchaser could be found for so large an estate as
the White Hart-lane estate, who would be prepared to pay a reasonable price.
Norbury
estate.
The Council was advised that the conditions as regards the Norbury estate had altered somewhat
during the preceding year or two and that the prospects of the estate had distinctly improved.
Whereas during the financial year 1908-9 the loss by " empties " 'amounted to 30 per cent., and the
result of the year's working of the dwellings was a deficiency of more than 18 per cent, of the gross
rent, during the year 1910-11 there was a slight surplus. The increased travelling facilities afforded
by the linking up of the Council's tramway service with that of the Croydon Corporation will materially
assist the development of the district generally, and will tend to ensure the letting of the cottages which
are being erected on the Council's estate. In all the circumstances the Council thought it well that
the whole of the estate, which comprises altogether about 28J acres, should be retained for housing
purposes.
White Hartlane
estate.
The White Hart-lane estate is not so well situated, and the Council formed the opinion that
it would be best to dispose of a substantial proportion of the land. The estate consists of two detached
sections, of which the northern contains about 49 acres and is about 440 yards distant from the
southern portion which is now in course of development. The development of the estate has not
proceeded so rapidly as was anticipated, and it is evident that it will not be possible for the Council
to build upon the northern portion for many years. For this reason, and in view of the fact that
meanwhile the rates have to bear the interest and sinking fund charges on the capital cost of the land,
the Council thought it would be well advised to dispose of the freehold of this portion of the estate
with the least possible delay.
The main (southern) section of the estate, which is about 179 acres in extent, is situated in a
district where the working-class population already largely predominates ; and the Council felt that
it would be impolitic to cover such a large area with cheap rented dwellings, and that it would be to
the advantage of the district generally if a substantial proportion of better-class property could be
erected on the land. The estate is suitable for development on the lines of a garden suburb, which
would comprise many different types of houses, including small cottages at a moderate rental, and
houses suitable for middle-class occupation. The provisions of the Housing Acts, however, do not permit
of the erection of dwellings for any other than the working classes on land which the Council holds
under Part III. of the Act of 1890, and the Council decided, therefore, to promote legislation in the
session of Parliament of 1911 to enable it to develop or to lease for development any part of the estate
on the lines indicated. The Council thought, however, that it should endeavour to sell the western
portion of the estate, consisting of about 44 acres and situated almost entirely in the urban district
of Wood Green. The remainder of the undeveloped land immediately surrounding the portions
already built upon, the Council decided to retain, with a view to its possible development for
housing purposes, due regard being paid to the demand for working-class accommodation in the
district. If successful in obtaining the proposed additional statutory powers the Council would be in
a position to lease portions of this land for development on the lines of a garden suburb, and the portions
of the estate which the Council desired to sell could also be leased on similar terms as an alternative
to disposing of the freehold, if the land was not sold in the meantime.
In order to facilitate the development of the land, it was felt to be very desirable to provide
through communication over the Council's estate from Lordship-lane to White Hart-lane, and in order
that this might be done the Council approved of arrangements being made with a view to the construction
at an early date of two new roads, the first in continuation of Waltheof-avenue, and the other
commencing from Hatherley-road and joining White Hart-lane to the east of Snakes'-lane.
In accordance with the resolution passed by the Council on the date mentioned, application
was made to the Local Government Board for its consent to the sale of about 90 acres of the White
Hart-lane estate, and to the proceeds of any such sale being utilised in or towards the development of
other lands under Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890. A public inquiry into