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appendix.
VII
tinually being produced and discussed, and in the latest Bill (that
of the County Council in 1893) dealing with this matter, powers
were sought to improve the Area now represented. But the result
of these protracted attempts has been a serious one to the district
interested and especially to the poorer parts thereof. Owners of
property and others have hesitated to spend money in rebuilding,
or in remodelling the district, in case that in doing so they might
throw greater obstacles in the way of the Central Authority, and
in the hope that some plan for opening up the district would
shortly ensue.
Certain owners of a number of houses in Sub-Area A writing
to the Strand Board in 1885 said they were desirous of dealing
with their houses in such a way as would make them fit homes for
persons of the labouring class, without diminishing the number of
such persons at present housed on the site. Plans had been prepared
several years before, but the owners after mature consideration,
were convinced that owing to the confined nature of the
area and the probability of interference with ancient lights, no
satisfactory plan could be devised by them without including
properties other than those belonging to them.
The condition of this area and the difficulties of dealing with
it are not unknown to the London County Council. Almost at its
first meeting in April, 1889, it had the question of a new road
through this district under its consideration, and the matter has
engaged the attention of one or more of its Committees ever since.
In a report (dated 22nd June, 1892), the Improvements
Committee of the Council stated in the scheme recommended by
it for improving the communication between the Strand and
Holborn as one of the aims of the scheme. " (d) To open and
improve one of the most insanitary and decaying quarters of
London." In describing the course of the proposed new or
widened streets the Committee said :—
"From this central circus, the new street would pass in a
"perfectly straight line to the Strand exactly opposite to St. Mary"le-Strand
Church, crossing Vere Street, Clare Street, Stanhope
''Street, Wych Street and Drury Court, a large part of which is
"a most insanitary area with houses only fit to be pulled down.
d 2