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At the end of the year, about 16,100 houses on the estate had been completed,
about 1,163 were in course of construction, and orders had been issued to the contractors
for the erection of about 449 others. The question of proceeding with the
development of a further section of the estate (about 1,150 houses), namely the
section in the Barking Town urban district east of Gale-street, was under consideration
at the end of the year. The estate is capable of being developed to the extent
of a total of about 26,000 houses and flats, with a total population of about 130,000.
The period during which orders may be given under the existing contract for
the development of Becontree has been extended to 31st December, 1930.
During the year an additional site on the estate was sold to the Church of
England authorities for the erection of a church and two sites were sold to the
Baptist church authorities and the Congregational Church authorities respectively
for the erection of churches.
Six further sites were sold to the Essex County Council for the erection of new
elementary schools and one site for the erection of a central school A site was leased
to the British Association of Residential Settlements for social purposes, and an
option was given to the Association to purchase the site. Other sites were let on
building lease for 99 years, for the erection of shops, a billiards hall and a residence
for a doctor.
Two areas of land adjoining the Wantz stream, with a total area of about 8½
acres were transferred free of cost for the land to the Dagenham Urban District
Council for use as an open space, and two sites were given to the District Council for
the construction of public conveniences.
An agreement was entered into with the District Council for the widening by
the Council of three existing roads, Halbutt-street, Oxlow-lane and Little Oxlow-lane,
subject to a contribution by the District Council of £28,000 towards the cost. Arrangements
were made for the fencing and planting of the land between the carriageways
of the portion of Becontree-avenue in Ilford preparatory to the road being taken
over by the Ilford Corporation.
Certain strips of land were surrendered by the Council for the reconstruction
and widening of Broad-street by the District Council. An offer of the District Council
to pay £3,200 in settlement of an outstanding debt of £6,655 in respect of the cost of
certain sewer works carried out by the Council for the District Council was accepted,
and the Council agreed, subject to the consent of the Minister of Health, to regard
the remainder of the sum, namely, £3,455, as a contribution towards the cost of the
reconstruction and widening of Broad-street.
On 24th January, 1928, the Council after considering offers received as the
result of public advertisement agreed to let on lease five sites at Becontree for the
erection of new refreshment houses (four with full licences and one with a beer licence)
to take the place of four existing beerhouses on the estate, subject to the necessary
licences being obtained by the prospective lessees from the licensing justices. The
refusal by the justices of two of the applications for licences and the view apparently
taken by the justices that one of the beerhouses, which it was proposed to remove,
should remain on its present site made it necessary for the Council to reconsider the
matter. The Council accordingly on 31st July, 1928, approved an amended scheme
which contemplates the establishment of six new refreshment ho use(stwo with full
licences, one with a beer and wine licence, and three with beer licences) and two offlicences
in place of the four existing beerhouses.
Arrangements were made for the planting of trees including the provision of
guards in the footways of certain roads on the estate.
After protracted negotiation with a view to obtaining the installation of electricity
for lighting in new houses at Becontree, arrangements have now been made for
the County of London Electric Supply Company, Limited, to instal electricity for
lighting in not fewer than 1,000 houses on the estate free of cost to the Council