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4. Areas Represented before 1971 and not yet confirmed
Philip Lane, N.15 16 houses 18 families

Recent years have seen the clearance of large areas of houses where conditions for too long had been extremely
poor and squalid. Many hundreds of old, neglected properties where dilapidation, dampness and only the rudest
of basic amenities abounded have been cleared and the sites used for the provision of new dwellings.
The successful outcome of the Housing Act 1957 Part III representations and compulsory purchase orders
continues to result in the elimination of areas of unfit and unsound houses where Ministry opinion confirmed the
assessment that the houses had reached the end of their useful lives and that clearance was the best method of
dealing with them.
The present programme of detailed examination of houses in areas where clearance might be found to be warranted
is, however, nearing its end and it is anticipated that completion will be achieved in the year 1972. It has been
the practice over the years to deal first with areas of houses which appeared to be in poorest condition, leaving
the less markedly deteriorated to be investigated later in the Inspection Programme. Progress in the treatment of
the poorer areas brings us to a point where making a decision as to the best method of dealing with areas of unfit
houses requires deep and careful study. Investigations towards the end of the year, 1971, reveal that areas within
the Inspection Programme, although mainly consisting of unfit houses are not necessarily wholly clearance area
material. It will be remembered that two circumstances must obtain before a clearance area under Part III of the
Housing Act 1957 can be made, (1) the houses must be unfit under terms of Section 4 of the Act and (2) the best
method of dealing with the conditions in the area is clearance of the site.
In connection with the former of the above circumstances there is no doubt that although the wording of Section
4 has been little amended, the standard encompassed by Section 4 has risen to a new understanding of what is
acceptable as a fit house. A simple example is the fact that a water closet which is external and not readily
accessible now weighs more heavily against the fitness of a house. Likewise, the condition of repair demands a
higher level of acceptance than in past years.
The most significant features in considering the clearance of unfit houses under Part III of the Act are the
stability of walls and roofs and the adequacy of natural light and ventilation. Groups of houses are now being
encountered, even within the Inspection Area Programme, where many or most of the buildings are unfit in terms
of Section 4, but are in fair condition as to stability though with varying adequacy as to light and ventilation.
These houses are not necessarily best dealt with by clearance under Part III and many may have their useful lives
prolonged for say 30-40 years by thorough repair and improvement. A decision not to demolish these unfit houses
still leaves them to be dealt with, presumably by a better method.
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