London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Rotherhithe 1898
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Rotherhithe]
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87
The dwellings (four floors only in height) will provide for a population of 800 persons at
the least, consisting of about two-thirds adults and one-third children. Taking these figures,
tho cubic space allotted to each person is considerably in excess of the amount required
under the regulations, and in safety could be augmented without causing any overcrowding.
I estimate the cost of the scheme as follows:—
| Buildings | £42,000 | 0 | 0 |
| Laying out Quadrangle | 1,200 | 0 | 0 |
| Value of land, as per Mr. Page's valuation | 2,800 | 0 | 0 |
| £46,000 | 0 | 0 |
Basing the rents to be charged the same as now charged by the London County Council for the tenements upon the Boundary Street area; —
| s. | d. | |
|---|---|---|
| 4-roomed tenements | 9 | 6 per week. |
| 3 do. do. | 7 | 6 do. |
| 2 do. do. | 5 | 6 do. |
| 1 do. do. | 3 | 0 do. |
which are exclusive of gas, but inclusive of all rates and taxes, the gross annual rental
would amount to £2,620, which, after deducting for all leakages, such as rates, water, collection,
repairs and empties, leaves a net return of 3½ per cent. on the estimated cost of the
work.
In judging the financial aspect of this scheme, it must be borne in mind that my object
has not been to cover the site to its full capacity with dwellings, but to lay it out to the best
advantage, at the same time providing a large breathing area in the centre of a dense population.
If the estimated cost of this scheme (£46,000) was obtained on loan for a period of 50
years at the current rate of interest (27/8 per cent.) charged by the London County Council,
the repayments of principal and interest upors the annuity system would amount to £1,730 per
annum, which, if deducted from the gross estimated rental (£2,620 per annum), leaves £890
per annum for leakages, rates, etc., but in my calculations giving a net return of 3½ per cent.
I have assumed that they will amount to £1,000 per annum; therefore, still adhering to the
latter figures, the scheme shows, that to pay all current charges and repay the loan by in-