[Report 1925] / Medical Officer of Health, Castleford U.D.C.

Castleford (England). Urban District Council.

Date:: 1925

Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1925] / Medical Officer of Health, Castleford U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

17/52 (page 15)

The reason of so little comparatively having been done in the matter of provision of new houses, is of course that our area is already fully built upon; and further, that the Central Authority would not allow a Government Scheme within our boundaries. The extensive house building operations immediately outside the area do not a])pear to have made any ay)preciable difference. It would seem frozn a recent survey that any possible benefit from from reznovals has been nullified by the influx of new-comers to the District. The question of the jzrovision of new houses has been for some time a jnatter of serious concern to your Council, and having regard to our very difficult and unusual position, it is now a matter for your consideration whether or not, schemes should be undertaken outside the District. Overcrowding exists in various parts of the town, and action for abatement is rendered very difficult by the lack of accommoda- tion. As to fitness of houses, I regard the standard as generally good, particularly in the newer parts of the town. The general character of the defects found are in respect of leaking roofs and eaves gutters, broken plaster work and floors, the latter being in many cases aggravated by the houses having been intended for occupation by one family, and now being occupied by two families or more. Effective action in regard to unfit houses has not been prac- ticable owing to the general shortage. Repairs of a more or less temporary nature have been carried out from time to time. For further information and details as to Housing, see Sanitary Inspector’s Report, pages 24 to 31. Inspection of Food.—The Sanitary Inspector deals with these matters in detail in his Report, jzages 31 to 34.