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Much has been said about the ideal house for rural workers, but at Friday’s meeting of the recently-formed Joint County Committee for Rural Housing in Northamptonshire, it was the general standard to be aimed at rather than the individual house that was dealt with.
The Standards and Records Sub-Committee agreed with the principle that a standard should be specified to which all houses in the county should be raised within a period (10 years is suggested), to be known as The Northampton County Rural Standards. To satisfy this standard they suggested that all houses should comply with the following requirements:-
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1.
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Situated on a site to which air and light have free access. |
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2.
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Of sound structural repair in respect of walls, roof, floor and fittings. |
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3.
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Well paved paths to front and back of house. |
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4.
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Free from dampness. |
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5.
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Adequate and through ventilation. |
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6.
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Adequate natural lighting. |
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7.
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Efficient drainage. |
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8.
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Separate water closet or satisfactory earth closet. |
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9.
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Satisfactory cooking facilities. |
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10.
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Satisfactory clothes washing facilities. |
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11.
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Food store, well ventilated, and of adequate size. |
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12.
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Satisfactory sink. |
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13.
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Fixed bath. |
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14.
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Handrails to stairs. |
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15.
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Water supply laid on. |
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16.
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Good internal arrangement, in particular, each bedroom having separate means of access. |
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17.
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Adequate outbuildings (a) for fuel (b) for other storage. |
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18.
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Secondary means of access. |
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19.
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Domestic hot water installation. |
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20.
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Adequate artificial lighting. |
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21.
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Refuse disposal. |
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22.
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Decorative repair. |
Amplifying this scheme, it was suggested that the air space around buildings should generally comply with the model building by-laws under the Public Health Act, 1936.
Mr. T. Groom, of Towcester, protested against so much attention being given to repairing houses when the great need was for new houses.
One or two members of the committee urged that the priority of the new houses should not be overlooked and they were assured that this was being borne in mind.
Thatched Roofs
Col. Fisher pointed out some of the difficulties which it appeared to him they would have to face. Among these was the owner-occupied house, the old stone houses with their thatched roofs which it would be found extremely difficult to recondition to include a bathroom, if at the same time they were to satisfy the Planning Committee in the repairs they made.
Mr. J. O. Adams pointed out that grants were available under the Rural Workers Housing Act, but that the value of the house when reconditioned was limited and that was one of the difficulties that was found in reconditioning houses.
Dr. Smith, replying, said that as regards the owner-occupier house they had to bear in mind the health of the housewife and the family and secure a decent standard.
The old cottages which had been mentioned were often more attractive to the passer-by than to the occupier, declared Lord Henley in referring to this side of the question.
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