Most of the houses in this old street were cleared away in 1938 (see photograph on another page).
By 1954, only 8 houses were left of the original 34, and the cleared area was used as a car park. Gradually, one by one, the remaining houses were acquired by the Corporation and demolished, until just this one remained, No. 21. When the question of compensation is finally settled, it too will be removed. The small size of the adjoining cottages can be gauged by the wall design.
Date of the photograph – 4 February 1960.
NEWSPAPER CUTTING OF 6 FEBRUARY 1960
“FIGHT BETWEEN DAVID AND GOLIATH” – Widow claims compensation for loss of house.
“This case strikes one as almost a fight between David and Goliath” commented Mr H.B Grant, counsel for a Brighton widow at a lands tribunal hearing held at Hove Town Hall on Tuesday. And, he submitted David should be successful in smiting Goliath – Brighton Corporation.
Mrs Edith Annie Taylor, owner of 21 Blucher Place, Brighton, which now stands on its own on land used as a car park, was claiming £850 compensation from the Corporation for the loss of her home when it is compulsorily purchased and demolished – plus another £68 for loss of amenities suffered. She had originally asked for an extra £550, later reduced to £256. The Corporation is prepared to give her only £600 total compensation for the house.
Mrs Taylor, who is employed at a nearby brewery, said she paid £380 for the house in 1929. Nine years later the house next door was demolished by the Corporation and this exposed the east wall of her house to the weather. The damp is now so bad that she cannot use her top room, but the house is centrally situated for her work and the shops.
“Where are they going to put me? Right out at Woodingdean,” she told Mr H P Hobbs, the presiding lands Tribunal member. Mr W J Hannington, employed by a local estate agent, said the damp is getting considerably worse and entering the house from both sides.
Mr G des Forges, for the Corporation, called estate surveyor Mr C D Dutton, who said Mrs Taylor’s property has not been modernised and it would not attract a buyer who wanted to modernise. “ This was one of a row of poor terrace properties, and it would never attract such a purchaser,” he declared.
Replying to Mr Grant, he decided that the Corporation tends to pay less than market value for a property if they can.
Mr des Forges submitted that there is a general appearance of decay and dilapidation surrounding the area. “ It is not the sort of property ever to attract anyone who wished to buy a centrally sited cottage and do it up,” he commented.
Mr Grant said that the properties, which formerly adjoined Mrs Taylor’s house, were sold to the Corporati0on “under the threat of compulsory purchase or redevelopment.
He added: “ it is rare for a property owner who alleges that the property is worth £800 to venture to fight the Corporation.”
The tribunal’s decision will be made known in due course.
Image Reference: JG_29_106.tif
Date: 1960s
Image Details: Original monochrome image
Size of Original: 157x206
Place: Brighton
Additional Information: No comment
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