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Clearance Areas
One clearance area located at The Villas, Burnt Oak, Edgware involving two
properties was represented to the Council under Part III of the Housing Act, 1957. A
Clearance Order was made and because the houses were immediately adjacent to the
North Road Housing Area, already programmed by the Local Authority for redevelopment,
a Compulsory Purchase Order was made.
Demolition of all the properties in the Lodge Lane, North Finchley Clearance
Area was carried out. Rehousing of all the tenants from the two other clearance areas
at The Burroughs, Hendon and East End Road, East Finchley had not been completed
by the end of the year.
Detailed surveys were commenced in respect of sixty-two properties in North
Finchley in order that consideration could be given to the preparation of a report on
two further clearance areas as forecast by the slum clearance programme submitted to
the Ministry of Housing and Local Government last year for the period 1970/73.
Individual Unfit Houses
Fourteen dwellings were reported during the year as being unfit for human habitation
and incapable of repair at reasonable cost. In two cases the making of Demolition
Orders was appropriate whilst in the remaining instances, as the dwellings were not
capable of demolition in isolation, it was necessary to recommend the making of
Closing Orders. In two cases the making of Closing Orders was not however proceeded
with, since as the properties were within an area scheduled by the Local Authority
for eventual redevelopment the owners agreed to sell at this stage to the Council.
In consequence of this action, together with that which had been initiated in
earlier years, eighteen unfit houses were demolished and ten dwellings closed. Fifteen
families comprising in all a total of thirty-eight persons vacated unfit properties. In
two instances the tenants found themselves suitable alternative accommodation. In
all other cases rehousing was arranged by the Council.
Seven Closing Orders which had been made during previous years were determined.
In each case the property was completely rehabilitated and provided with full
standard amenities so as to have an acceptable future life as a fit dwelling. The seven
properties were adapted so as to provide nine units of accommodation.
Slum Clearance and Re-Development
Outside the areas which the Council have programmed for comprehensive redevelopment
under Part V of the Housing Act, 1957, there are no large locations of
unfit housing in the Borough, the problem of unfitness continuing to be confined to
individual houses or comparatively small groups of properties.
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