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A similar application was also received for the revocation of the undertaking
given in 1948 by the owner of 14, Parry Place, Woolwich, that the premises would
not be used for human habitation. However, as the condition of the premises at
the time of the application for revocation of the undertaking was substantially the
same as when the undertaking was accepted in 1948, the Council decided not to
revoke the undertaking.
During the year the Council made Closing Orders in respect of unfit rooms at
a further ten premises. The following are the details of the parts of houses closed
by the Council during the year:—
3, Creton Street Ground floor front and first floor front rooms
Closing Order dated 21st January, 1953.
54, Llanover Road Basement front room—Closing Order dated
23rd February, 1953.
42, Rockmount Road Front south and front north rooms—Closing
Order dated 23rd February, 1953.
92, Eltham Road Basement front east and west rooms and
basement back east and west rooms—
Closing Order dated 28th Way, 1953.
15, Nightingale Place Basement front and back rooms—Closing
Order dated 23rd July, 1953.
30, Pattison Road Basement front room. Closing Order dated
23rd July, 1953.
272, Woolwich Church Street First floor front room—Closing Order dated
21st October, 1953.
106, Eltham Road The four basement rooms—Closing Order
dated 20th October, 1953.
137, Herbert Road Basement front and back rooms and basement
scullery—Closing Order dated 21st
October, 1953.
24, Frances Street Basement front and back rooms—Closing
Order dated 23rd December, 1953.
Formal action under the Housing Acta was also being taken at the end of the
year in respect of a further three individual unfit houses.
Housing Repairs and Rents Bill.
This Bill, which was presented to Parliament in November, 1953, will give
substantial new powers and duties to local authorities with regard to slum clearance
and the maintenance of unfit properties. Most of these powers will be of an inspectorial
or supervisory nature, which will give considerably increased duties to the
Sanitary Inspectors.
Areas for Clearance.
Vicarage Road Clearance Area. On the 13th May, 1953, I represented to the
Council that the eight dwelling houses, Nos. 19.33 (odd) Vicarage Road, Plumstead,
were unfit for human habitation by reason of disrepair, sanitary defects and bad
arrangement, and that they were dangerous or injurious to health. The Health
Committee considered that the most satisfactory method of dealing with the conditions
in this area was the demolition of these dwelling houses, and the area has
now been dealt with by the Council as a Clearance area.
Housing Progress.
The number of new dwellings built in the Borough during 1953 is summarised
as follows:—
By Woolwich Borough Council 216
By private enterprise 33
In addition, 21 dwellings were erected by the London County Council at Campbell
House, Shooters Hill, 153 on their Milne Estate, Woolwich, and 78 on their
Avery Hill Estate, Eltham.
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