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18
The Value of Land with a River Frontage at Fulham.
In June, 1887, the Fulham Vestry wished to purchase from the Metropolitan
Board a plot of land fronting the Thames, consisting of one-third
of an acre. The Surveyor to the Board valued it to the Vestry at £2,400,
at the rate of £7,000 an acre. After a conference between the two parties,
the Metropolitan Board agreed to accept, and was paid £1,500, when a
further cost of £1,000 in building a river wall had to be incurred. This plot
of land is within 600 yards of the Bishop's meadow.
The Total Cost of the Recreation Ground (12½ Acres), with
the Embankment and Laying out the Grounds will Cost Less than
£1,000 per Acre.
If the work of buiding a river wall be not commenced without further
delay, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners will withdraw their gift, and the
Bishop's and West Meadows, as an open space and river promenade, will
be lost to the public. The Vestry, therefore, asks the London County
Council to carry out the work at once, the Vestry contributing £5,000
towards the cost, in accordance with the Vestry's resolution of the
26th June, 1891.
The Vestry, therefore, respectfully solicits the London County Council
to at once consent to this very moderate application,—
Population in 1881 42,895, Census
Do. 1891 91,640 „
Growth in ten years 48,745.
which report was approved and adopted, and a printed copy of the scheme
together with a plan of the land, was sent to each member of the London
County Council.
And on the 29th July, 1891, the Chairman of the Vestry (Mr. Goodacre),
informed the V estry that the London County Council had resolved to
subscribe £3,500 towards the cost of embanking the Bishop's and West
Meadows, and it was resolved—that the matter be referred to the Works
Committee.
On the 9th September, 1891, a letter was read from the London County
Council, stating-that they had, subject to an estimate being submitted to
the Finance Committee, decided to contribute £5,000 towards the laying out
of the Bishop's Meadow, Fulham, including the building of a River Wall,
on condition that the work including the design of the wall was carried out to
the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer of the Council within 18 months, and
the Vestry accordingly instructed their Surveyor to proceed with the plans
and specification forthwith.
On the 18th November, 1891, the Vestry sanctioned the engagement of a
temporary Draughtsman for one month, at a salary of £2 2s. per week, for
the purpose of pressing forward the amended plan of the Bishop's Meadow
River Wall.