TOWN PLANNING ACT 6i 



Measures of Reform. 

 Something of this kind seems to have 

 happened and to be happening. The chief 

 effect of housing legislation on the country- 

 side has hitherto been to check building by 

 putting the requirements too high. Wealthy 

 landowners have done a great deal to improve 

 housing on well-kept estates, though it has 

 been neglected on others. It is a pity that no 

 comprehensive record exists of the amount 

 of cottage building done by them ; it is pro- 

 bably much greater than is commonly sup- 

 posed. But it would certainly have been more 

 but for insistence on unnecessary and rigid 

 requirements, which make the cost pro- 

 hibitive to men of moderate means, as a 

 great many landowners are now. That was 

 recognised by the circular letter from the 

 Local Government Board issued in August, 

 1912, in which local authorities were urged 

 to review the requirements of their by-laws, 

 " so that, while prescribing reasonable pro- 

 visions with a view to securing stability, 

 protection from fire, and conditions essential 

 to health, they should not be unduly restric- 

 tive in regard to the erection of small 

 dwelling-houses." Cost has been prohibitive, 

 not only to landowners, but also to public 

 authorities, who were empowered to build 

 under the Housing Act of 1890. In the course 

 of 15 years down to the end of 1905 the total 



