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The Council had declared a Clearance Area in 1955, Albert Road,
and this area has now been approved by the Ministry and the
Compulsory Clearance Order confirmed. A further Clearance Area
was declared in 1956, being 18 houses in Margaret Road. Several
more areas are in the course of preparation. Under Section 11
(Individual Unfit Houses) of the Housing Act, 1936, 5 Demolition
Orders were made. It is apparent that more demolition orders on
individual unfit houses will become necessary than was at first
supposed, but the total should not affect the position by more than
a few houses.
In several cases work of improvement has been carried out of
sufficient extent to houses which were included in the return to
the Minister under Section 1 of the Housing (Rent and Repairs)
Act, 1954, that they may be no longer considered as premises
suitable for demolition. In one case the improvement of premises
has so divided a proposed Clearance Area that it can no longer be
dealt with under this part of the Housing Act. I personally feel that
where the houses are in the main structurally sound this work of
improvement should be encouraged, particularly when the premises
are isolated individually unfit houses. In addition, of course, several
houses have been noted which were not included in the return
which are suitable at the moment for demolition. When these
premises are dealt with the Council will be informed that they are
outside the scope of the original return. In all probability the number
of houses to be dealt with will not change materially over the
period of 11 years which the Council have decided will be required
to deal with the main Housing problem of the district.
As previously stated 5 Demolition Orders were served in the period
under review. These Orders concerned the following premises:
8 and 10 Lyonsdown Road—This is a pair of semi-detached houses,
brick built, with slated roof, situated at the lower end of Lyonsdown
Road and let into flats. They consist of a basement, ground floor,
1st, 2nd, and attic floors and were in a very bad condition, mainly
extensive dilapidation, dry rot and dampness. Owing to the number
of families involved it has taken some time for the occupants to be
re-housed.
19 Cat Hill—This house is a detached property situated alongside
Pymmes Brook and has been flooded on many occasions. It was
very damp and dilapidated.
13 and 15 Victoria Road—This is a pair of small semi-detached
houses at the northern end of Victoria Road. They were in a dilapidated
condition and very damp.
At the beginning of the year there were 6 Demolition Orders
and 3 Closing Orders outstanding being:
113, 115, 117 and 119 Lancaster Road,
New Barnet Demolition Orders
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