London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Fulham 1930

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Fulham]

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117.
Much thought has been given to the planning and
accommodation of the various dwellings in order to meet
the requirements of the prospective tenants. Each
dwelling will consist of living room, kitchenette, bathroom,
ventilated larder and provision for coals, and six of
the dwellings will have one bedroom, 211—two bedrooms,
135—three bedrooms, and 17—four bedrooms in addition.
Generally the size of the living rooms will vary from
160 to 180 square feet, first bedrooms approximately
150 square feet, and second, third and fourth bedrooms,
from 70 to 100 square feet. From these figures it will
be noted that the rooms will be of convenient sizes and
as there is almost a complete absence of corridors and
passages (excepting to the external balconies) the dwellings
should be easy to manage.
Another question which has received considerable
thought is the lighting and heating of the premises, and
the Council have decided, after considering the cost and
charges likely to fall upon the tenants, to adopt electricity
for lighting, electric cookers in the kitchenettes, and
provision for electric radiators in at least one bedroom
in each dwelling. It was however considered that coal
or coke fired coppers will be the most economical arrangement
for washing and providing hot water for the baths,
and combination ranges in the living rooms. The ranges
are of pleasing design, and whilst giving the living room
the appearance of a parlour these will be available for
cooking during such periods of the year when a fire in
the living room is necessary and so economise in the
use of the electric cooker.
It was originally proposed that the rooms should
be 8 feet in height, but after consultation with the
Ministry of Health it was decided to increase the height
of the ground and first floor tenements to 8 feet 6 inches,
the storeys above being 8 feet.
It is expected that the first two blocks will be completed
in June, 1932. The rents to be charged for the.
flats have not yet been definitely decided.