WESTMINSTER HOUSING PROBLEM
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The housing problem in Westminster is a matter of concern to all who take an interest in the welfare of the people. For a long time past the difficulties of the situation have been engaging the attention of the responsible authorities, but, notwithstanding what is being done to remedy the present conditions, the solution of the problem is not yet in sight.
Now, thanks very largely to the generosity of the Duke of Westminster, a great opportunity has presented itself of further relieving the situation. The London County Council own land, known as the Pulford Street site, which is the only vacant site in Westminster of any size. They have a plan for turning it to commercial uses, but they have consented to give the committee, which has been formed for the purpose, an opportunity to acquire the land and develop it for homes for working-class families who are obliged, because of their occupations, to live in Westminster. Provided the part of the site belonging to the London County Council—which is back land with a bottle-necked entrance is acquired for working-class dwellings for Westminster workers, the Duke of Westminster offers as a gift half an' acre of frontage in Pulford Street, thereby making the site eminently suitable for a housing scheme.
A favourable report upon the practicability of the develop. ment of the site for working-class dwellings has been made by Messrs. Trollope and Coils, Ltd.
The price asked by the London County Council for their two acres is £32,000. Including the additional half-acre of frontage the cost works out at 5s. lid. per square foot, an exceptionally low figure for land in the City of West- minster. If the site is to be acquired for housing purposes the money must be promised or given within the next three or four weeks.
Some gifts and promises have been received within the last fortnight, but about £30,000 is still required. If three hundred public-spirited people or firms would give £100 each, the only suitable vacant site in WestminSter would be saved, and a scheme for the provision of homes for some 350 or 400 families could at once be put in hand.
This is a great opportunity, and we earnestly appeal for the necessary financial help to enable this project to be carried through. Westminster is the richest city in the
kingdom, and if this site can be given by the more fortunate citizens -to • their lecS .fortimate neighbours, it will not only be a splendid contribution to the housing problem, but a stirring example to other cities..—We are, Sir,• &c.,
KATHARINE ATHOLL, FRANCES CHELMSFORD, JOHN C. C. DAVIDSON, GERTRUDE EMMOTT, THOMAS INSKIP, SUSAN SOMERSET, SUTHERLAND, CHARLES TREVELYAN, FLORENCE WALSTON.
Contributions, or promises of contributions, should be sent to Lady Walston, Chairman of the Pulford Street Site Committee, 14 Carlos Place, Mayfair, W. 1, or to the Rt. Hon. J. C. C. Davidson, C.H., C.B., M.P., 3 Barton Street, S.W. 1, and cheques should be drawn in favour of the Westminster Bank, Mayfair Branch, Carlos Place, W. 1, and crossed " Pulford Street Site."
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