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Since April 1965, in all but three instances the Compulsory Purchase Orders made by the Council
to deal with areas of houses proposed for clearance were confirmed by the Ministry in their entirety
and with little or no reclassification in regard to "fitness". Such reclassifications as did occur were
either a change of category from "house" to "other building", or were probably the result of works of
repair having been done between the dates of the Council's resolution ana the Public Inquiry.
In regard to the exclusions from the Compulsory Purchase Orders, in one instance (Langham Road/
West Green Road) a relatively small part of the Compulsory Purchase Order area was not confirmed.
This part comprised mainly "fit" houses, and was deemed unnecessary for the satisfactory redevelopment
of the remainder of the Compulsory Purchase Order area.
In the case of the Stanley Road/West Green Road area, part of the Compulsory Purchase Order,
approximately one-fifth of the whole, was not confirmed. This part consisted of 21 confirmed unfit
houses and 21 fit premises. Several of the houses which were reclassified as fit properties and which
had been superficially repaired prior to the Public Inquiry, are without doubt again in an unfit condition.
It was deemed by the Ministry Inspector that the houses in the excluded part could be satisfactorily
repaired and improved.
In the Brunswick Road/West Green Road Area approximately two-thirds of the Compulsory Purchase
Order area was not confirmed. One-third, comprising mainly 3—storey buildings with dwellings on the
upper floors and shops on the ground floor, was held to be "shops" and was excluded. The difficulty
in deciding whether a building is a "house"or "other building" is exemplified by one owner, represented
by Counsel at the Public Inquiry, who restored the dwelling accommodation at his property at a cost of
about £850 and later found that the premises were deemed to be a "shop".
On the south side of Brunswick Road the ratio of "unfit" to "fit" houses was reversed by the
Minister's Inspector. This was without doubt due to extensive works of repair, largely of a superficial
nature, which were seen to be done immediately prior to the Public Inquiry. This part was excluded
from the Compulsory Purchase Order and it was considered by the Minister's Inspector that the houses
could, at reasonable expense, be repaired and improved. Many promises of satisfactory restoration
and improvement were expressed in thepleas of the objectors. Fulfilment of these promises is awaited
with interest.
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