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areas, and the Council, being of opinion that the evils existing in the areas could only be
effectively remedied by means of an improvement scheme under the Act, decided,
on 29th January, 1924, to make such a scheme. The Baker's-alley area, of
about 11/3 acres, comprises about 51 houses containing a population of 416 persons
of the working classes, together with a small timber yard, sheds, etc. The Birchfield-street
area is about three-quarters of an acre in extent, and comprises 27
houses with a working class population of about 97 persons. The Bromley-place
area, also about three-quarters of an acre in extent, comprises 25 houses, with a
population of 227 persons. Altogether 740 persons of the working classes will be
displaced, and it is proposed to provide accommodation for an equal number of
persons within the area or elsewhere. The estimated cost of acquisition and
clearance of the three areas amounts to £12,000, exclusive of the cost of erecting
the new dwellings. The scheme was duly submitted to the Minister of Health for
confirmation, and a public local inquiry into the proposal was held on 18th July,
1924. The Order of the Minister of Health sanctioning the scheme, subject to
modifications, which was issued on 10th December, 1924, specifies that accommodation
for not fewer than 190 of the 740 persons required to be rehoused shall be
provided on the Birchfield-street area.
Prusom-
street
scheme.
On 27th August, 1924, the Minister of Health confirmed, with certain
modifications, the scheme made by the Council under Part I. of the Housing Act.
1890, for dealing with the Prusom-street area in Wapping (8½ acres) at an
estimated cost of £70,000.
The scheme as submitted by the Council provided for the clearance of an area
involving the displacement of 2,704 persons of the working classes, and it was
proposed that rehousing accommodation for 2,030 persons should be provided
within the area, leaving a provision for 674 persons to be made elsewhere. From
the scheme as modified by the Minister certain properties were excluded with the
result that the number of persons to be displaced was reduced to 2,601 persons and
the Council is now required to provide accommodation for an equal number, of whom
not fewer than 1,000 are to be accommodated on certain defined lands within the
area. Other lands comprised in the scheme may, with the consent of the Minister,
be sold or leased or exchanged for any other land within the area with or without
payment for equality of exchange or appropriated to any purpose for which the
Council has power to hold land. The Minister was asked to reconsider his decision
and to include in the scheme a further area for rehousing purposes, but could not
see his way to comply with the Council's wishes in the matter.
Active steps are being taken with a view to the erection of the first block of
dwellings to be known as Willoughby House, and on 11th November, 1924, the
Council approved an estimate of £700 for preliminary expenses. The name
" Wapping estate " has been selected for the area when reconstructed.
Selection of
tenants.
In view of the fact that the Council's housing operations involve a heavy less
which has to be met out of rates levied over the whole county, it was felt that seme
relationship should be established with the requirements of the metropolitan
borough councils who should each receive a definite share of the accommodation
provided. The Council accordingly on 21st October, 1924, decided, as an experiment
for one year, that a part, not exceeding 50 per cent. of its new accommodation
provided under Part III. of the Housing Act, 1890, should be allocated
amongst suitable applicants recommended by the several metropolitan borough
councils in proportions based upon existing conditions of overcrowding in such
boroughs.
Disposal of
refuse
The whole question of the disposal of refuse in the vicinity of London was under
consideration during the year. As a matter of urgency the Council, on 1st July,
1924, decided to ask the Minister of Health to take such action as is immediately
practicable to prevent further deposit of refuse in the neighbourhood of Becontree,
and generally to discourage the continuance of the refuse tips in the locality.