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IV. HOUSING
Clearance Areas
During the year, three Clearance Areas involving 39 houses were
declared by the Borough Council.
Closing Orders
An appeal lodged against a Closing Order made by the Council in
respect of a dwelling-house resulted in the Order being quashed.
Overcrowding
During the year 32 cases of alleged overcrowding in dwellings were
investigated, nine of which were confirmed and referred to the London
County Council. Overcrowding in houses in multiple occupation is
referred to later in the report.
Twelve overcrowded families were rehoused by the London County
Council. The register of overcrowded premises was reduced, during the
year, from 174 to 171 families.
Underground Rooms
There are approximately 1,250 underground rooms in the Borough used
for living or sleeping purposes, of which 1,200 are unfit. During the
year nine rooms were closed.
Town and 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 11 such applications
were carried out during the year.
Applications for Rehousing
At the end of the year there were 2,751 applications for rehousing
on the Housing Manager's register. Those included the tenants of 213
Council dwellings who desired larger or smaller accommodation.
Preferential Housing on Health Grounds
Applications for preferential housing on health grounds investigated
during the year, numbered 58.
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