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In a large block there are likely to be some tenants who enjoy making loud unseasonable
noise, and also some who dislike it. In a very large block this becomes a practical
certainty. In a street, the nuisance affects only a few neighbours, but many more in a closely
packed block; and some of these blocks are notorious for transmitting sound from one end to
the other.
Similarly the noise of cars which would be a minor nuisance spread over a street
becomes a nightly pandemonium when concentrated beneath one building. This occasions very
great resentment among tenants who do not have cars.
These disadvantages of size are recognised as such by the general public; but the
abstruse reasons are not appreciated, which lead to planting high blocks on particularly bleak
and windy sites. It is merely felt that living is more snug in a street of houses.
Because of the deficiency of housing stock people cannot look forward to changing their
homes often. Therefore in specifying the accommodation one would like, it is prudent to think
of the home one is prepared to stay in for most of a working life. A flat in a tower, perhaps
quite satisfactory to a couple early in marriage, is not what will be required for a young
growing family.
People have constantly before them in the Borough examples of all that they desire in
housing as well as all that they would wish to avoid; and there is in fact a concensus with
regard to the reasonable housing requirements of a family.
1. A dwelling should be rain-proof and without visible evidence of rising damp or
condensation water. This simple requirement, in past and present times, has
often proved beyond the capacities of those concerned. Damp accommodation is
detested; in fact it can make a mess of home and possessions and it is also
regarded as a menace to health.
2. There is a strong preference for heating, by solid fuel with an open hearth in
every room. The public is aware of the beneficial effects of a cheerful fire, and
of adequate chimney ventilation; and they know the inadequacies and extra costs
of the other methods.
3. Stairs to the extent of one flight are generally accepted as an accompaniment of
family life. It is felt that children can be supervised from this distance. The
disabilities of age might be thought an argument against any stairs at all, but
in fact, though people expect to live a long time, they do not look forward to
getting infirm. On the other hand the enormous difficulties that multiple flights
of approach steps occasion with young children are appreciated everywhere.
4. An indoor water-closet, and a bathroom with hot water available, have high
place among the domestic amenities; and lack of them is felt to be a mark of
second-class accommodation.
5. The over-mastering requirement, with priority above all others, demanded
universally, is that the home of a family where children are to be expected
should have a back garden. For this necessity there is no substitute. The
reasons, which affect mothers and children, are obvious to everybody.
To sum up: for most people in the Borough, the ideal of a permanent home, is then>
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