Barnsley Independent – Saturday 25 October 1919

Wombwell Housing.

Scheme Held Up.

At the meeting of the Wombwell Urban Council Mr Allott said he regretted to report that they had had a set back in connection with the housing scheme.

The Ministry of Health would not approve of the layout and had asked them to begin again with another. He had visited the Housing Commissioner at Leeds en several occasions, with the architect and the Clerk, and the Commissioner asked them to carry out certain amendments.

These were made, the layout was again submitted, and the Commissioner assured them that there was no doubt the scheme would be approved In London. They now sent a sketch of a layout which they suggested they should follow, and which, to his opinion, was nothing like the lay-out they submitted.

The plans which the Ministry of Health suggested showed houses where King’s Road Schools at present stood. They reserved a space for new schools, and also in the middle they set aside space for a club. He thought they could be expected to know a little bit about the requirements Wombwell, so far as schools and clubs were concerned. At any rate, they knew more than anyone in London did. He did not see why the ratepayers should have to provide additional clubs. With regard to the schools, he did not know that there was any overcrowding. In his opinion, it was a matter of the Ministry of Health marking time until building became cheaper. No one regretted the turn of circumstances more than he did, because he knew of the urgent need of houses. He made those statements in order that the public might know that it was not the Housing Committee of the Wombwell Council, nor the Architects who were responsible for that set back. When the Housing Committee saw the suggested lay-out sent by the Ministry of Health he was afraid it would open their eyes.

Mr. Mellor said the Ministry of Health wen not acting fairly to local authorities up and down the country. If they wanted “a land fit for heroes to live in” they should not erect wooden houses., but substantial ones. He had thought that they would not be long before they commenced building and it was with the greatest regret that he heard that the scheme had been tamed down.

Mr. Allott: At Leeds we agreed with the Housing Commissioner that this site was suitable for three hundred and eighty four houses. The Ministry of Health now say we must crowd four hundred and fifty eight into it.

Mr. Sokell suggested that the people who had been to Leeds should now go to the Ministry of health in London ; otherwise, It would be next year before they movement in the matter.

Mr Charlesworth supported this Idea, but on Mr. Mellor’s suggestion it was decided to go to the Commissioner at Leeds, and through him to London, if necessary.