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acres. The evils existing in some parts of this area were, in the Council's opinion,
such as could be remedied only by a complete clearance and reconstruction. Other
parts, however, although comprising property which fell considerably short of a
reasonable standard of modern sanitation, had a more open development and were
not so pressingly in need of attention as certain areas in other parts of London which
the Council was considering. These sections the Council felt, could reasonably
be dealt with at a later date, and this view was confirmed by the fact that the represented
area was physically divisible into a number of smaller areas, each capable
of being dealt with separately at successive stages without materially prejudicing
the ultimate redevelopment of the whole in accordance with a comprehensive scheme.
On 25th July, 1922, the Council decided to make a scheme under Part I. of the Act
in respect of the worst portions of the area comprising about 6 acres and containing
some 226 dwelling houses including three beerhouses, in addition to some manufacturing
premises, workshops and dwellings used for storage purposes. About
1,645 persons of the working classes will be displaced and it is proposed to provide
rehousing accommodation for 1,290 persons, not fewer than 1,080 persons being
accommodated on the cleared area. Dwellings for rehousing the remaining 210
persons could be erected on surplus land from the Tabard-street, Southwark, etc.,
scheme situated less than a mile distant. On the assumption that the whole of the
property will be regarded as insanitary and that none of it is placed by the Minister
of Health in the category of properties not in themselves insanitary but only included
or the purpose of making the scheme efficient, the cost of acquisition is estimated at
£60,000, and that of constructing roads, etc., at £6,700, making £66,700 in all. The
scheme has been submitted to the Minister of Health and a local inquiry will be
held early in 1923.
A scheme for dealing with the Prusom-street area, Wapping, which had been
represented to the Council by the medical officer of health of Stepney as an unhealthy
area under Part I. of the Housing Act, 1890, was under consideration at the
end of the year.
Prusomstreet
area.
The question of economy in the lay-out of estates and the erection of dwellings
has continued to engage the Council's close attention. A number of economies
were effected and revised plans were adopted in 1921 (see Annual Report for 1921,
vol. III., p. 76). During 1922 additional economies were decided upon as follows:—
(i) omission (where possible) of fencing to minor open spaces, (ii) substitution of
tar paving for brick in the majority of front paths, (iii) reduction of roof pitch and
substitution of stock bricks in place of red facings, where the prices of red bricks
are excessive, (iv) grouping of cottages in longer blocks, (v) reduction in projections
in blocks and consequent simplification of roofs, (vi) substitution of concrete
lintels for brick arches, etc., over door and window openings on back elevations.
(vii) substitution of 3½-inch concrete slabs for 4½-inch brick walls on ground floor and
6-inch concrete slabs for 9-inch division walls in many places, (viii) omission of
picture rails in bedrooms, (ix) omission of paths in back gardens, (x) combination
of the bathroom and water-closet in the smaller houses and flats.
Cost of
building.

10161
I