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33
1939 it was said that 35% to40% of the value of the property would
be the amount which could reasonably be spent; but in 1950 other
governing factors must be considered, so that in having regard to
the cost of re-placing demolished houses it would not be unreasonable
now to spend up to the full value of the house. The last
word is with the County Court Judges, but if wholesale individual
demolition orders are to be avoided a wide interpretation of what
is "reasonable cost" is necessary.
In arecent decision (Grimsby Corporation -v- Bacon) the "value"
of the house was said to be the "freehold" value.
In the first local case the Corporation had regard to Section
3, Housing Act, 1949; and instead of making a demolition order, a
closing order was made. The outcome of this case is still undecided