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57
Victoria Terrace: No. 3 (1955).
St. Anns Road: Nos. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 23, 25 (1957).
Stanmore Hill: No. 2 (1955), No. 32 (1957).
Marlborough Hill: No. 23 (G.F.) (1957).
High Street, Edgware: Nos. 59, 61 (1956).
Kingsfield Terrace: No. 12.
Pinner Road: No. 279 (1953).
Cecil Road: No. 108, 110 (1957).
Crown Street: Nos. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (1953).
Of these, eleven were occupied at the end of the year, namely 45
West Street, 279 Pinner Road, 13 Shelley Road, 12 Wordsworth Road,
1,3, 5, 9 Crown Street, 3 Marsh Cottages, 108, 110 Cecil Road.
The Alma Road and Alma Crescent area, the fourth of the areas
under the Northolt Road Clearance Order proposals comprise in the
"pink" area sixteen houses being the odd numbers 1-31 Alma Road and
the eleven properties in Alma Crescent. Most unexpectedly a number of
these were excluded by the Minister from the Order, namely the odd
numbers No. 1-11 Alma Crescent and numbers 15-31 Alma Road. Many
complaints have since been received from the occupiers of the properties
Nos. 15-31 Alma Road relating particularly to dampness and general
housing defects. Negotiations were entered into for the purchase of these
properties by the Council. If these prove successful, this should get round
the difficult situation which arises in these houses which are suffering
from serious defects but the owners of which are not willing to do the
work necessary to make them fit, though the Minister decided they could
be.
New Demolition or Closing Orders. During the year, Demolition
or Closing Orders were made in respect of the following properties: 56
Francis Road; 1 and 2 Camden Row; 33 West Street; 18 Little
Common; 49 and 51 Pinner Road; 7 Frognal Avenue (ground-floor
flat); 78 Station Road, Harrow ; and 104 and 106 Cecil Road.
The Closing Order in operation in respect of 12 Roxborough Road
was changed to a Demolition Order.
Demolition. The following were demolished during the year: 1-7
Kmgsfield Terrace (1939); 58-60 Crown Street (1955); 283 and 285
nnner Road (1953); Remenham House (1958); 15 Roxeth Hill;
2 to 28 (even numbers) Headstone Drive (1939); 12 Roxborough Road.
The dates indicate how very long it takes to bring about the demolition
of properties which have been condemned. Admittedly in a number of
instances the accommodation has not been occupied for quite a time
before it is demolished so that the real object of the demolition procedure
has been achieved, namely, to ensure that people are not being condemned
to live in unfit houses. Even in these cases though there is the real disadvantage
in there being this time lag before actual demolition has taken
Place as always there is the risk of squatters moving in. In addition, an
empty house steadily deteriorating is an eye-sore and detracts from the
amenities of the district, while as well there is the risk of the gardens being
used for the dumping of rubbish.