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During 1962 the first dwellings in the Samuel Street/Frances
Street scheme were completed and let. During the course of the
year the final 74 dwellings of the 279 in the scheme were occupied,
the four 14-storey tower blocks dominating the area. Prom the
upper floors there is an excellent view for miles around. Early
in the year, work commenced on a further 35 dwellings and a doctor's
surgery at the Junction of Woolwich Church Street and Frances Street.
The St. Mary's Comprehensive Development Area can now be said
to be entering the final stages, as at the end of the year nearly
850 dwellings had been completed out of the proposed 1,212.
In the second of the Council's Redevelopment Areas at Glyndon,
there is now tangible evidence of the work which has been taking
place over the last few years. The first dwellings were officially
opened in November by The Worshipful the Mayor, and by the end of
December, 40 families had taken up occupation. The first stage of
development comprises 252 dwellings, including three 11-storey blocks
of flats, where space heating is by gas warm air. Laundry and
garage facilities are provided and there will be a shopping parade.
In the meantime, rehousings have continued from the second stage
where plans have been approved for the erection of 179 dwellings.
The Council is also awaiting confirmation by the Ministry of
Housing and Local Government of the third stage of the Development
Area.
Plans have been approved for the erection of 119 dwellings in
the Kirkham Street Area, and already 68 families have been rehoused
in order that the sites may be cleared. Further, the majority of
the properties have been acquired and it is anticipated that the
whole site will shortly be available for redevelopment.
Building work has also continued on several other sites in
the Borough, particularly at Southend Crescent and Eltham Road.
The Council have also rehoused 81 families from Temporary Dwellings
in order to make further sites available for permanent development.
At the 3lst December, 1962 there were 10|094 tenancies in
properties owned or controlled by the Council, and at that date
there were 2,978 applicants on the Housing Register, compared with
2,772 the previous year.
The above information on the housing progress in the Borough
has been kindly supplied by the Chief Housing Officer.
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