Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chislehurst]
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54
MOVEABLE DWELLINGS.
A considerable demand continues for sites on which to station
moveable dwellings, intended for use as long term housing
accommodation.
With the exception of Chalk Pit, Ruxley, all sites are now of a
restricted character and generally speaking, do not give rise to
serious public health problems, although a constant watch has to
be kept.
The position at the end of the year is indicated below:—
Site | Average number of families | Approx. number of persons | Whether licensed |
---|---|---|---|
Smallgain’s Farm | 2 | 4 | Yes |
Ruxley Manor Farm | 2 | 6 | Yes |
Birchwood (adjoining Bull Hotel) | 4 | 11 | 3 L., 1 N.L |
Lower Hockenden Farm | 1 | 2 | Yes |
168, Blackfen Road | 1 | 3 | Yes |
Kemnal Scouts Field, Sidcup | 1 | 2 | Yes |
Old Brickfield, Baugh Estate | 2 | 6 | Yes |
Twysdens Meadow | 3 | 13 | Yes |
Conservative Club, Sidcup | 2 | 6 | Yes |
Old London Road, Ruxley | 1 | 3 | No |
Chalk Pit, Ruxley | 42 | 195 | 28L., 14 N.L. |
Oakleigh Park Avenue, Chislehurst | 1 | 2 | Yes |
Chalk Pit, Ruxley.
Twenty-eight families were licensed to use moveable dwellings
for 1957. A further eight families resided there for most of the
year and thirteen other dwellings are known to have been brought
into the Pit, for varying shorter periods. Most of these have used
the site sporadically in previous years, but at least three families
were newcomers.
In March, 1957, the Court granted an injunction to the owner
of the Pit with regard to 17 unlicensed families. The effect of this
was to restrain the person concerned from using the Pit, after
a period of two months. Most of these caravan dwellers did in fact
leave the Pit, but at a later date habitation there was resumed.
The owner has now declared his intention to clear the Pit of
all its occupants.
Corke’s Meadow, St. Paul’s Cray.
The Council set up a special Committee to deal with the
problem of the moveable dwellings encampment, which for very
many years, gave rise to serious public health problems in and
around the Meadow.