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117
Notwithstanding, however, these and other activities it became increasingly
evident that the supply of houses was not overtaking the demand, and in October,
1921, the position was reviewed.* The intentions of the Government had not been
disclosed, but it was generally accepted that some modification of the scheme of State
financial assistance was inevitable. As a preliminary, therefore, the Council on
19th December, 1922, appointed a deputation to wait upon the Minister of Health to
discuss the general housing situation in London.
Review of
position.
During 1922 the clearance of unhealthy areas continued to engage the close
attention of the Council, but, owing to the general housing shortage which decreased
the possibility of finding accommodation for the displaced persons pending the
reconstruction of the areas, progress was difficult. It was understood that the
Government was prepared to co-operate with local authorities in this work, and a
figure of £200,000 for the whole country was mentioned by the Minister of Health
as the amount which might be contributed towards the annual loss involved in
clearing slums and in providing rehousing accommodation. Part of this sum would
be allocated to London, and the Council contemplates the preparation of comprehensive
proposals for dealing with the problem. The Council has, since the war, already
made several schemes under Parts I. and II. of the Housing Act of 1890, some of
which have been confirmed by the Minister of Health while others are still under
consideration ; particulars are given later (see pp. 120-1).
Unhealthy
areas.
Details of the (Jouncu s housing operations are as follows:—
The development of the Old Oak estate, Hammersmith (46½ acres), except the
carriageways and footways of certain streets, has been completed by the erection of
1,048 houses, of which 724 have been erected since the war under the State
assisted scheme, upwards of 300 houses having been completed during 1922. An
-estate office with superintendent's quarters, stores and workshops has also been
provided. The accommodation comprises 235 houses of five rooms, 429 of four
rooms, 341 of three rooms, and 17 of two rooms, 10 two-roomed flats and 16 flats of
one room with a bed recess. Seven shops with dwelling accommodation are
included. Particulars of the rents charged are given in the Annual Report for 1920
(vol. III., p. 125). During the year a further instalment of the work of road
finishing was carried out for the Council by the Hammersmith Metropolitan Borough
Council at an estimated cost of £20,443, and on 6th December, 1922, the Council
sanctioned expenditure not exceeding £17,512 for similar work on the remainder of
the estate.
Old Oak
estate.
The development ot the Norbury estate (28½ acres) was also completed during
1922. Since the war 218 houses have been erected under the State-assisted scheme
and altogether on the estate there are 716 houses and 4 shops, as well as an estate
office and workshops. The houses comprise 90 of five rooms, 257 of four rooms
(parlour type), 145 of four rooms (non-parlour type), and 224 of three rooms.
Particulars of the rents charged are given in the Annual Report for 1921 (vol. III.,
p. 73). During the year the Council sanctioned expenditure amounting to £3,621 for
the making up and paving by the Croydon Corporation of certain roads on the estate.
Norbury
estate.
About 56 acres ot the White Hart-lane estate, Tottenham, are being developed
by the erection of 710 houses under a contract with Messrs. Fred &T. Thorne, on a
cost plus participating profit basis. At the end of 1922,540 houses had been completed,
of which all but 45 were finished during the year. On 1st August, 1922, the
Council entrusted to Messrs. Thorne the work of finishing the roads on the portion
of the estate in course of development.
White Hart
lane estate.
On 32 rd May, 1922, the Council Teased for 21 years, at a rent of £80 a year,
a plot of land about two acres in extent for use as playing fields. It is proposed to lay
out the ground for lawn tennis or other games, and any group of the Council's tenants
will have the first opportunity of renting any part of it.
*Housing Scheme—Review f position. Report by the Medical Officer of Health and the
Valuer. Mo. 2140. Price 1s.