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Individual Unfit Houses
Eleven properties comprising a total of thirteen dwellings were reported during
the year as being unfit for human habitation and incapable of repair at reasonable cost.
In three 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 consequence of this action, together with that which had been initiated in
earlier years, nineteen unfit houses were demolished and eleven dwellings closed. Sixteen
families comprising in all a total of thirty-seven persons vacated unfit properties.
Three families found themselves suitable alternative accommodation. In all other cases
rehousing was arranged by the Council.
Three 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. The three properties were adapted so
as to provide four units of accommodation.
Clearance Areas
Two clearance areas involving forty-two properties in Albert Street, Lodge Lane
and William Street, North Finchley were defined under Part III of the Housing Act, 1957.
Authority was given for the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order as the site was required
by the Local Authority as part of their planned programme for the locality within
which the clearance areas were situated. Action in respect of a third clearance area
containing a further twenty properties in Lodge Lane was deferred in order to permit the
Finchley Society to submit, at their request, proposals for the rehabilitation and improvement
of the dwellings.
Following a public inquiry confirmation was received from the Department of the
Environment of a Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of Nos. 3 and 4, The Villas,
Burnt Oak, Edgware, which had been reported under Part III of the Housing Act, 1957
during 1970 - these multi-occupied houses are immediately adjacent to the North Road
Housing Area already programmed by the Local Authority for comprehensive redevelopment.
By the end of the year one family only remained to be rehoused.
Rehousing of the families in the two outstanding Clearance Areas at The
Burroughs, Hendon and East End Road, East Finchley was also completed, and in the
latter area the properties demolished.
Redevelopment and Slum Clearance
Completion of redevelopment in respect of areas of predominantly obsolescent
housing, designated as Housing Areas and dealt with under Part V of the Housing Act,
1957, is now programmed and no further surveys were undertaken during the year for
possible new areas.
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