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Slum Clearance.—Housing conditions are generally good,
the majority of dwellings being of comparatively recent construction.
The work of removing those properties which, chiefly through
age and disrepair have become unfit for human habitation, was
continued. Since the beginning of this programme in 1930,
5 Clearance Orders have been confirmed by the Minister of Health,
involving 58 houses and the rehousing of 461 persons. A further
19 houses have been demolished individually, 5 by formal action
and 14 by informal action.
During the year an official representation in respect of an additional
block of 6 cottages forming Clearance Area No. 6—West
Street was made to the Council, who proceeded by way of a
compulsory purchase order under Section 29 of the Housing Act,
1936.
A scheme was undertaken for the erection of 102 houses on the
Cottage Farm Estate to provide, inter alIa, rehousing for the
tenants displaced from Clearance Area No. 5—William Street
referred to in the report for 1936 and for cases of overcrowding.
The tenants from the Clearance Area were removed into the new
premises and the old premises were demolished during the year.
The number of houses made fit during the year under the
Housing Acts was 270, 2 by formal and 268 in anticipation of
formal action. This brings the total made fit since 1925 under the
Housing Acts up to the 31st December, 1937, to 1227.
Housing Act, 1936.—Overcrowding.—At the survey of
overcrowding completed in the early days of 1936, 173 houses,
involving 1162 equivalent adults, were found to be overcrowded.
By the end of 1936, in spite of decrowding 49 families, the net
number of those overcrowded had increased to 179 with 1163
equivalent adults.