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IV. HOUSING
Clearance Areas
During the year two clearance areas, involving 149 houses, were
declared by the Borough Council.
Demolition Orders
The Council made demolition orders in respect of three premises
during the year. As a result of appeals, one order was quashed, and
closing orders were substituted for the remaining two demolition orders.
An appeal against a Closing Order made by the Council was dismissed.
Overcrowding
During the year 57 cases of alleged overcrowding were investigated,
32 of which were confirmed and referred to the London County Council.
Twenty overcrowded families were rehoused by the London County
Council and 8 by the Borough Council.
The Register of overcrowded premises was reviewed during the year.
It was found, following a survey, that for reasons such as children .
having married or obtained other accommodation, removals, etc., the
register was reduced from 355 to 183.
Underground Rooms
There are approximately 1,500 underground rooms in the Borough
used for living or sleeping purposes, of which 1,450 are unfit. During
the year, 7 rooms were closed and Closing Orders on three rooms were
determined.
A summons issued for the occupation of an underground room in
contravention of a closing order resulted in the owner being fined £4
with £3.3.0 costs.
Town & Country Planning (Housing Accommodation') Direction. 1952
Under this Order the Borough Council is consulted by the London
County Council (the Planning Authority) before applications are determined
for planning permission for development involving change of user
of premises from use as a dwelling. Investigations of 22 such applications
were carried out during the year.
Applications for Rehousing
At the end of the year, there were 2,472 applications for rehousing
on the Housing Manager's register. These included the tenants of 154
Council dwellings who desired larger or smaller accommodation.
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