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for an equal number of persons, of whom not fewer than 900 must be accommodated
on the cleared areas. The areas when reconstructed will be known as Ring Cross estate.
On the Brand-street area are to be two parallel blocks of dwellings, named
Branston and Rollit houses, containing flats for 292 persons. These buildings include
eight shops and between them is a garden space. One block was finished in 1927,
and the other was nearing completion at the end of the year.
On 17th May, 1927, the Council approved a capital estimate of £2,000 in respect
of preliminary expenses in connection with the erection of two blocks of dwellings,
one of the normal and one of the simplified type, on the George's-road area. The
buildings will comprise 134 tenements with accommodation for 744 persons.
During 1927 the Council agreed to set back the line of the proposed dwellings
fronting on George's-road, in the George's-road area, sufficiently to enable the road to
be widened on that side to a width of 20 feet from the centre of the road to the
forecourt wall, if so decided at a later date.
Arrangements were also made for the construction of a temporary roadway on
the Brand-street area, for use pending the formation of the permanent diversion of
Brand-street.
The scheme for dealing with the Ossulston-street area, St. rancras (about
8 acres), which was confirmed by the Minister of Health in 1926, involves the displacement
of about 2,557 persons of the working class and the confirming order
requires that rehousing accommodation for not fewer than that number shall be
provided within the area. The name Ossulston Estate has been selected for the
area when reconstructed.
Ossulston-
street
scheme.
On 31st May, 1927, the Council approved a capital estimate of £4,000 for preliminary
expenses in connection with the re-development of the area.
The area naturally divides itself into three sections—the northern, between
Hampden-street and Phcenix-street; the central, between Phoenix-street and
Christ Church and its school; and the southern, between Christ Church and Weir'spassage
; and a scheme has been prepared for the erection of three blocks of dwellings,
one on each of these three sections.
The area is situated in a district which, by reason of its proximity to the centre
of London, is rapidly becoming more and more industrialised, and, as sites available
for housing accommodation are exceedingly scarce in the central districts of London,
the scheme contemplates the erection of buildings beyond the height of five storeys
usually adopted for the Council's working-class dwellings, in order that full advantage
may be taken of the opportunity of housing the maximum number of persons. Due
regard has been paid at the same time to hygienic considerations, and the buildings
comprising the three blocks of dwellings will be varied in height from three to nine
storeys so as to ensure a generous supply of light and air to the new accommodation.
A model has been prepared indicating the general lines of the scheme for the
erection of the main (southern) block, the buildings in which will introduce a number
of special features.
The central block, which will be the first to be put in hand, will vary in height
from three to six storeys, and will contain 87 working-class tenements with accommodation
for 550 persons and about 14 lock-up shops. Subject to terms of letting,
provision is also made for a maternity and child welfare centre and for a meetingroom
for the Salvation Army.
On 19th July, 1927, the Council approved a capital estimate of £7,350 in respect
of the construction of the foundations of the central block, and the tender of Gee,
Walker and Slater, Limited, amounting to £3,422, for the work, was accepted.
The work was commenced in October, 1927.
During the year arrangements were made to utilise temporarily for rehousing
families to be displaced from the area accommodation in the houses on the Twyfordstreet
site, Islington, which was acquired by the Council for education purposes.