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83
HOUSING
Slum Clearance
During the year three Clearance Areas were the subject of Official
Representation to the Council. The total number of houses included
as unfit dwellings in the three areas was 82.
This appears to illustrate a dramatic reduction in the drive to
eliminate unfit housing in the Borough. But it should be emphasised
that all the large areas of unfit dwellings have now been dealt with
and the remaining small pockets will be eliminated during the next
three years.
Work of inspection for clearance purposes has been replaced by
surveys of properties for the declaration of General Improvement Areas.
Improvement and Conversion Grants
During the year four conversions, 30 improvement grants and 8l
standard grants were approved.
General Improvement Areas
During the period under review the Council received a joint
report of its officers in respect of two areas recommended as suitable
for improvement which were subsequently declared to be General
Improvement Areas.
The Harrow Road General Improvement Area comprising 240
dwellings is largely privately owned with a high proportion of owner/
occupiers. There has been an increasing tendency during the past
two to three years for owners to repair and improve houses in the
areas and when the detailed survey of houses was carried out residents
were quibk to respond.
The public meeting held in a convenient local hall evinced much
useful information and provided a general insight into the people's
wishes. It became clear that ambitious schemes for environmental
improvement would be less likely to succeed, because of isolated
pockets of objection, than simple alterations to provide parking
bays. One surprising aspect was the general aversion to trees in
the streets expressed by a majority of residents.
The Eastbury Estate Area adjoins the area described above and
is a Municipal Estate built in the 1920's. Included in the area
is a small terrace of 12 privately owned houses.
The dwellings in general are in good repair, and such disrepair
as became evident during the surveys was listed and distributed to
the officers involved to be included in the price for overall
improvement up to the full standard.
A public meeting was well attended and tenants showed an
enthusiasm for the scheme as a whole and welcomed not only the proposals
for house improvement but also the provision of rear access roads
and garages.