Somerset County Herald 21 Nov 1936 Taunton Rural Clearance Orders inc MULFORD THOMPSON BROMFIELD MILFORD VEARNCOMBE PAVEY POOLE DERHAM BEACHAM ROWSELL KINGLAKE

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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 21 Nov 1936

Page 7 Column 2


TENANTS WHO PAY NO RENT

HOUSE-OWNERS AND “HARDSHIP”

TAUNTON RURAL CLEARANCE ORDERS

MINISTRY INSPECTOR'S INQUIRY

Several cases of possible hardship that may arise if Clearance Orders made by Taunton Rural District Council under the Housing Act, 1930, are confirmed by the Minister of Health were mentioned during a public enquiry at the Council's offices on Thursday morning.

Mr. N. BOOTHROYD, L.R.I.B.A., on behalf of the Ministry, received evidence both in support of and in opposition to the clearance proposals.

Mr. P. O. COWLISHAW, clerk, presented the case on behalf of the District Council.

KINGSTON ORDERS.

Kingston, No. 1 (Rossiters) area, comprises two houses, occupied by four persons[?] and belonging to Miss R. A. MULFORD and Mrs. THOMPSON.

The Clerk said the owners had stated they contemplated selling the property to the present tenant, Mr. BROMFIELD, who proposed to re-condition it.

Kingston[?] No. 3 (Nailsbourne area comprises[?] two houses, with seven occupants.

Col. W.E. KIDNER, the owner, submitted a scheme for converting the houses into one.

The Clerk said the proposals were acc ptable [sic] to the Council if the Minister app oved [?]. Considerable expenditure would be incurred.

The Inspector: I am prepared to leave the matter with the Council's officers, and I shall not inspect this property.

A RENT-FREE TENANCY.

Three houses, with 14 occupants, are included in Staplegrove No. 1 (Church Cottages) area.

The owner, Mr. C. A. Guy TURNER, offered no objection in regard to Nos. 1 and 2, but considered that No. 3 was reasonably fit for habitation.

Mr. A. W. VILLAR, representing the owner, mentioned that under the will of the late Mr. Gribble TURNER the present tenant of No[?] 3, Mrs. MILFORD, aged 81, who had lived there since her marriage nearly 50 years ago, was permitted to occupy the house rent free. He asked, if the Clearance Order was confirmed, that it should not become operative during her lifetime.

The Clerk said the Council made the Order after[?] carefully considering the terms of the will.

“CASE OF HARDSHIP.”

Cheddon Fitzpaine No. 1 (Rowford) Order relates to three houses.

Canon H. T. VEARNCOMBE, the owner, lodged an objection respecting No. 9.

His representative, Mr. C. J. R. HUSBAND, said Canon VEARNCOMBE bought the house in September, 1923, for £355, as a home for his sister. Repairs would be carried out if the Order[?] was not confirmed. The owner's parents aged 85 and 81, also lived there. It was difficult to see what would happen if they were turned out.

The Clerk said the Council appreciated it might possibly be a case of hardship, but they felt that the house in its present condition was unfit for habitation.

ONE OF FIVE TO REMAIN.

Mrs. PAVEY, owner, undertook to demo sh [sic] four of five houses in the Bishop's Lydeard No. 2 (Chapel-lane) area, but asked to be able to re-construct the other.

The Clerk said the Council were prepared to accept the proposals.

The Inspector said he would not inspect the property.

Church tanton [sic] No. 1 (The Village, Churchinford) area comprises two houses, owned by Mr. A. D. POOLE, builder and decorator.

He asked to be allowed to use the premises for storage purposes in connection with his business.

HOUSE OWNER COMMENDED.

In the North Curry No. 1 (Haymoor End Lower Knapp) area two houses belonging to Miss DERHAM and one to Mr. John BEAUCHAM.

Mr BEAUCHAM[?] said he bought the house in August 1934[?] He had not charged the tenant Mrs. FOSTER, any rent. She was left penniless[?], and he had also assisted her in paying the rates. She had only 10s a week and he would like her to be able to continue to life there.

The Clerk said he thought Mr. BEAUCHAM was to be commended for what he had done. The house, however, was so definitely[?] bad that the Council asked for confirmation of the Order. They were willing to delete any buildings that could be used for agricultural purposes.

North Curry No. 4 (Greenway) area comprises two houses. The owners, Mrs. ROWSELL and Mrs. NORTH, contended that hardship would be caused if the Order was confirmed[?].

Mr J. H. KINGLAKE, the owner, asked to be allowed to convert two unoccupied houses in the North Curry No. 5 (Newport Hill[?]) area into one dwelling for his occupation.

Mr. C. M. B. KITE, representing Mr. KINGLAKE said he was a cripple, and recently sold[?] his farm. He wished to spend the rest of his days in the proposed house.

The Clerk said the Council did not think the premises could be re-conditioned satisfactorily

After the enquiry the Inspector visited the various areas. His report will be considered by the Minister in due course.


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