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has been let on building lease for the erection of a social club and hall; land has been
let for a temporary post office; and an arrangement has been entered into with the
Postmaster-General for the placing of a number of telephone kiosks on the estate.
On 12th June, 1923, H.M. the King accompanied by H.M. the Queen visited the
estate. Their Majesties inspected the Ilford section and viewed several of the
houses and subsequently visited the undeveloped portion of the estate. In commemoration
of the visit their Majesties each planted a tree in the garden at the corner
of Bushgrove-road and Groveway.
The licences in respect of four beerhouses have been retained and the Council has
decided that the ultimate system of control should be based on management
by a company or association whose servants would not have any pecuniary interest
in encouraging the sale of alcoholic liquors, but that provision should be made
for the general entertainment and refreshment of the population. One of the houses
is in a dilapidated condition and endeavours are being made to lease a site on the
estate for the erection of a new refreshment house to which the licence in respect of
the old house might be transferred.
Bellingham.
The development of Bellingham (176½ acres) was completed during the year,
the whole of the work having been carried out by Sir Robert McAlpine and Sons,
under a contract on a cost plus participating profit basis. The accommodation
consists of 402 houses of five rooms, 1,211 of four rooms, 188 of three rooms, 156
three-roomed flats and 132 two-roomed flats, making a total of 2,089 lettings. Each
house and flat in addition to the accommodation mentioned, has a scullery and a
bathroom. About 52 acres have been reserved for the erection of other than workingclass
dwellings.
On 6th June, 1923, the Council sanctioned expenditure of £427 10s. towards
the cost of the making up Brookhowse-road, while on 31st July, 1923, the Council
agreed to contribute one-fourth, not exceeding £250, of the cost of constructing a
foot-bridge to take the place of the level crossing over the Mid-Kent branch of the
Southern Railway.
During 1923 the Council leased to the Church of England authorities and the
London Congregational Union respectively two plots of land adjoining the sites
sold to them for the erection of churches. A tenancy of a piece of land was also
granted to the Tenants' Association for use as a lawn tennis ground, the Council
preparing the ground at a cost not exceeding £100. Several additional sites on the
estate were let during the year on building lease for 99 years for the erection of shops.
Downham.
The Council has acquired under compulsory powers about 470 acres of land at
Grove-park, Lewisham, for development for housing purposes. It was always intended
to acquire additional land for rounding off the site and for giving access to
main roads, and on 16th October, 1923, the Council made a new order for the compulsory
purchase of about 66½ acres. In order to secure a satisfactory scheme of development,
it is necessary for the Council to have powers over this land.
The name of Downham which has been selected for the estate commemorates
the title of the late Lord Downham, a former chairman of the Council, who, as
President of the Local Government Board, initiated the Government's post-war
housing policy.
It is proposed in the first instance to develop about 183 acres at the southwestern
or Bromley-road end of the estate, and the Minister of Health has approved
of the erection of 2,000 houses to rank for the State subsidy under the Housing, etc.,
Act, 1923. On 31st July, 1923, the Council approved a capital estimate of £300,000
in respect of the work. Provision will be made for schools, shops, public buildings,
etc.
In order to qualify for the subsidy the houses must be finished before 1st October,
1925, and the Council came to the conclusion that the only practicable course to
ensure the provision of the requisite number of houses within the time limit was to
entrust the whole work of development to one large firm of contractors possessing