Sale of Houses is Checked - And private building is put off too

In Rushden and Higham Ferrers at the present time there are at least 30 houses for sale with vacant possession . . . A little of a year ago, their owners would have been inundated with offers, but to-day property sales are “sticking.”

The figure quoted is only the number now in estate agents’ hands. The full number for sale is appreciably higher.

Long coveted building licences, too, are hanging fire. Several have been applied for, offered by the local authorities and finally declined. Not only is the ever increasing cost of private building a deterrent, but in Rushden and Higham Ferrers there is another problem – to find land. At Rushden it is described as “increasingly difficult” and at Higham as “almost impossible.”

The demand in ready-made houses locally is for the modern semi-detached or detached type, with garage or garage space, in a good locality, for £1,800 – £2,250.

Bungalows are next in popularity – the semi-detached at £1,400 for young marrieds, and the detached at £1,600 – £1,800 for elderly couples and invalids.

Reaction

Up to the end of last year the terrace houses were in keen demand and found ready buyers at excellent prices. There is now a reaction against them – partly due to the increasing reluctance of building societies to advance the amounts for older properties. For houses of this type, which last year would have realised £1,500, it is now difficult to get £1,200.

Property that is not wanted; large, old houses, with extensive grounds. Even though in a central situation they have to be in excellent condition to realise £3,000.

The glut of houses and the returning of licence offers, is a national occurrence – due to the fact that to-day the middle classes have insufficient capital to purchase or to build. Borrowing is increasingly difficult, due to the tightening up of credit by banks and building societies.

Many builders are beginning to feel that licences might well be abolished and that all who can afford to build should be free to do so.

Site Snag

Mr. Arthur Sanders, the Rushden builder, told us’ “Money is tighter and licences are being returned. Until subsidies can be obtained for people wishing to build their own houses a council house is a more attractive proposition.”

In addition to the actual cost of building there is the purchase of the land and its development charge – which together often amounts to £500 – £600.

Nationally the position is causing a surfeit of building workers – to the extent that earlier this year 38,714 were registered with the Employment Exchange as waiting for work. At the Rushden exchange the number was described as “negligible.”

Footnote:- In 1938-39 Arthur Sanders Ltd. offered detached houses (inclusive of road charges) for £560; show houses in Rose Avenue and Upper Park Avenue could be inspected and secured on a payment of a £1 deposit, and M. M. Drabble inaugurated the five-shilling a week plan for newly-weds – on receipt of £5 a site could be reserved and the type of house or bungalow planned. The first 20 couples taking advantage of the scheme had a “substantial sum placed to their credit in the deposit account.

Would We Welcome Londoners? — Rushden interest in L.C.C. inquiry

Rushden and other Northamptonshire towns may be asked to accommodate thousands of London people and some of London County Council’s overflow industry, it was announced this week. An “Echo and Argus” inquiry culled some diverse opinions on the scheme.

Mr. W. E. Capon, of the Urban Council, said the overflow of industry would be welcomed in the area provided it did not take all the female labour.

“You must take a long view of these things and try to visualise their implications in 25 or 30 years’ time,” said Mr. Capon, who added that it might be a good thing to have another type of industry in the district – perhaps a heavy one. This would help to absorb male labour and also act as a counterbalance in the ebb and flow of business by countering any boot trade recession.

Finally, Mr. Capon referred to the scheme as a tendency of the times and said it might lead to a greater economy in local government.

Shoe Chief

Stressing that he was giving his first re-action to the project, Mr. J. Marshall Bailey, president of Rushden and District Shoe Manufacturers’ Association, said: “Past experience of mass migration does not make the prospect too encouraging. These mass movements have never been a success in the past, and it could mean chaos.”

Commenting further, Mr. Bailey mentioned that if the intake of people was balanced correctly – proportionate numbers of men and women – he had no doubt “nothing but good” would come from the scheme. There was no doubt, he said, that there was a definite labour shortage in the area, and the move could be good so long as trade prospects remained bright.

Mr. Eric Roe, president of Rushden, Higham Ferrers and District Chamber of Trade, commented: “Any increase in the population is a good thing from the traders’ point of view – but I will believe it when they come.”

Confidential

Asked for his views as a member of Rushden Urban Council, Mr. W. E. Higham said he felt it was still a confidential matter as far as Rushden was concerned.

And finally, from two Rushden insurance agents, our reporter heard the views of “the man in the street.”

Said one: “Local men are already being forced off their allotments and smallholdings because of the building programme. What would it be like if we had to find land to house thousands of Londoners?”

The second man was most emphatic when asked whether he would welcome the influx.

“Definitely no!” he said.

Rushden’s ‘over-65’ population may soon exceed 3,000

Rushden needs to organise for the welfare of its old people. That is the opinion of a Rotary Club committee which has been studying the question for several months.

In a report issued this week the committee, led by Rotarian A. W. Head, makes five points:-

1. Dwelling accommodation for the elderly is insufficient.

2. A welfare visitor – preferably voluntary – is needed for the two groups of old people’s houses in Spinney Close and Wellingborough Road.

No co-ordination

3. There is much voluntary work, but it lacks co-ordination.

4. A large amount of sympathetic interest exists.

5. A welfare committee should be formed with the support and co-operation of the Urban Council.

Research by the Rotarians showed that in 1951, 2,365 residents were aged 65 or more. By 1970 the number may be 3,400.

The first figure represents one in seven of the population. The second represents one in five.

Only 16 bungalows and four almshouses exist specifically for the elderly. These are insufficient, states the report, and there is a waiting list.

Higham Ferrers, with less than a quarter of Rushden’s population, has 12 bungalows, six almshouses and nine Trust homes.

It is observed with regret that Rushden “has not the advantage of a private trust with an interest in the accommodation of aged and needy.”

On the question of high building costs and economic rents it is noted that the National Assistance Board would take a sympathetic view and might grant supplementary pensions where rent was an onerous burden.

Clubs help

The report reviews “a great deal of welfare work” by the churches and Salvation Army, the Toc H. women’s section, the County Blind Association, the Darby and Joan Club, the British Legion and “various clubs.” Concern remains, however, for old people not in touch with the welfare movements.

Many organisations have stressed the need for personal service by voluntary helpers. Toc H men have considered domestic service – getting in coals, chopping sticks and shopping – to elderly people in part of the town.

The Blind Association reports the need for home helps and visitors who will read to blind people and take them on short outings.

Systematic visitation of house-bound veterans is advocated by the Darby and Joan Club.

Living alone

“It is apparent,” say the Rotarians, “that a personal service of visitation to many elderly persons is greatly needed and we cite as an example, cases of recent bereavement where a widow or widower is continuing to live on in the old home alone.

We recommend this finding to the consideration of the local W.V.S., which appears to us to be a suitable body for work calling for tact, understanding and sympathy.”

The problem of finding home helps (Rushden has three – two of them part time) is considered “most urgent,” for many veterans could be prevented from becoming hospital cases by the services of a good neighbour.

Commenting on the National Assistance Act of 1948 which made children no longer responsible at law for their aged parents, the report states: “We have had to recognise this alienation of filial responsibility not only in the law, but as a modern trend in human relations.

People living alone tend to “make do” with scrap meals. This monotonous diet, combined with a solitary life, hastens mental deterioration. Rushden has no “Meals on Wheels” service, but the County W.V.S. would organise one if requested by the local branch.

Bright star

Success of the Darby and Joan Clubs run by Toc H women is the “bright star” of the report, which goes on to list Kettering, Earls Barton, Burton Latimer, Raunds, Stanwick and Wellingborough as places where old people’s welfare committees were set up on the initiative of the local council or council members. Much admiration is expressed for the work of the Thrapston and District Care Committee, which came about in a different way.

In addition to the chairman, those signing the report are Messrs. Arthur Allebone, C. H. Blunsom, H. T, Mackness and A. Sanders, and Dr. B. W. Paine.

Should Rushden take 5,000 from London?

Reports prepared by local and county officers estimate that if 5,000 Londoners were transferred to Rushden under the L.C.C.'s "overspill" scheme their needs in housing, schools, open spaces, industry and shops would use up 217 acres of land.

Though little is known of possible financial arrangements it is thought that for 10-15 years the developments would add 3d. to the local rate, but for the next 45-50 years the charge on the rate would be from 2s. to 2s. 6d.

The cost of land, site works and erection might be as much as £400,000. Capital expenditure other than housing is estimated at £52,000, covering sewage disposal, new swimming baths and other works.

Sites suggested for development lies to the east of Bedford Road and to the east and west of Wymington Road.

After a full-dress debate on Wednesday evening Rushden Urban Council decided not to close the door on the scheme, but to arrange further discussion with Northamptonshire County Council.

Points in favour of this attitude were that the scheme might eventually be enforced by the Government; that Rushden might be losing a golden opportunity; that the Government were sure to provide financial safeguards; that Rushden needed new industries and new female labour for the boot industry; that Rushden was a suitable place for development.

Arguments against were that Rushden people would not welcome 5,000 Londoners - the majority from slum clearance areas; that the rates would go up; that there was no assurance of financial assistance; that there would be a risk of unemployment; that the town sewerage was already a major problem, and that nobody except the Government would benefit.