“1-5 Hayllar’s Cottages

Dear Sir, It appears that on the 25th July 1935, the Council by resolution decided to acquire the above property under a Compulsory Purchase Order for the clearance of the site as a slum area.
This subject of an Enquiry held by the Ministry of Health on the 4th December 1935, and on the 5th June 1936, notice to treat was served on the owners.

After prolonged negotiations in March of this year the property was eventually purchased by the Corporation at the sum of £575. In September of this year the Corporation intimated to the late owner’s agent that they had no immediate use for this site, and would be prepared to resell it, and as a result of negotiations the property was offered to the previous owner (from whom in March the Corporation had compulsorily acquired it for £575) for the sum of £1100.

No doubt there is some good reason for the matter being dealt with in this way, but I cannot understand how the Corporation came to purchase these premises for demolition at the price of £575 and expect in six months time to resell the bare site to the same owners for the sum of £1100. Will you kindly bring this matter to the notice of the appropriate Committee, with the request that they kindly supply me with the reason for this site being dealt with in this manner.

Yours faithfully, B. Dutton Briant.”

Turn right up Middle Street and then left onto Boyce’s Street. Turn right onto West Street, crossing over the road where safe. The entrance to Churchill Square car park leads to Grenville Street which is now a delivery route.