[Report 1948] / Medical Officer of Health, Chesterton R.D.C.

  • Chesterton (Cambridge, England). Rural District Council.
Date:
1948
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1948] / Medical Officer of Health, Chesterton R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    8/28 (page 6)
    these preferably under the Public Health Act, 1936—the normal proce- dure under the Housing Act, 1936, being virtually precluded. The problem may be better assessed when it is realised that in spite of (1) the provision by the Council of over 1,600 separate dwellings (all categories) since 1919, and (2) the recent revision of the Council’s list of applicants, there are still 1,288 families awaiting accommodation, of which 403 are families of agricultural workers. These figures are made up as follows: — Families in lodgings (no separate houses), (including 155 agricultural cases) 665 Families in separate dwellings but under notice. Court Orders, and being in unfit accommodation (including 248 agricultural cases) 623 Even these figures do not convey the complete picture, as little regard has been taken of the sub-standard accommodation which is rapidly approaching the demolition state. It is estimaied that at least 500 houses would be required to replace the obviously unfit cottages in existence today. Requisitioning— Work previously undertaken by the Chief Sanitary Inspector in this connection has now been taken over by the Council’s Housing Manager, and at the 31st March, 1949, 62 properties were retained by the Council on requisitioning orders, providing accommodation for 72 family units. A noticeable increase in the traffic in old properties has been observed since the normal requisitioning procedure was suspended. Temporary Hutments— The conversion of ex-R.A.F. and military hutments for temporary housing accommodation has assumed such proportions that the Council’s architectural staff has been heavily engaged during the year. As will be seen from the housing figures, 45 huts have already been converted and a further 32 huts are in hand. At the present time the Council has taken over a total of 168 huts, which are occupied, although not all converted. This course has, no doubt, relieved the pressure some- what, enabling the Council to deal with a number of urgent cases. The acquisition of some of the sites, however, has brought in its train certain problems connected with other matters, such as the provision of services, and maintenance of huts not primarily intended for semi-permanent habitation. WATER SUPPLY: — Since the comprehensive statement in my Report for 1945. and in addition to the works reported in 1947, the distribution mains in the Parish of Waterbeach have been completed. Further, the villages of Horningsea, Landbeach, Eltisley and Croxton have now been supplied. Small mains extensions have been carried out at Longstanton (May, 1949). The Western Area Scheme is in hand and mains have been laid through Toft village and approaching Comberton. Progress on this Scheme has been somewhat disappointing owing to labour difficulties and the slow rate of pipe deliveries. It is gratifying to note that some measure of progress has been attained and that schemes have now been prepared and submitted for approval covering all the remaining Parishes in the area without a piped supply. These parishes are: —