In Kensington it was reported in 1875 that the increase in the number of new houses brought into occupation had for a considerable period averaged 700 annually.
In Wandsworth, in 1874–5, notices were received for 887 new houses.
| In | 1877–8 | for | 1,432 | new houses. | |
| „ | 1878–9 | „ | 1,845 | „ | |
| „ | 1880–1 | „ | 3,073 | „ |
And in every place land was being grabbed for building purposes.
The Medical Officer of Health for Whitechapel wrote in 1879:—
“We are now paying very dearly both in health and money for the errors of preceding generations in their having allowed houses to be packed closely together…. Several cases have recently occurred in this district of landlords erecting dwelling-houses in the back-yards of those houses which were formerly occupied by a single family. This is a serious evil and ought to be prevented. We have power to prevent the overcrowding of rooms, and we certainly ought to have power to prevent the cramming together of houses on sites of insufficient size for the healthy existence of the tenants.”
Even burial-grounds were not sacred, nor were public authorities even immaculate in this respect. Thus in St. Luke:—
“The Quakers’ burial-ground by the side of Coleman Street is now (1876) in progress towards being covered with buildings, and a portion was taken by the London School Board for the erection of a school. In the process of excavation for the foundation, human remains were discovered.”
And the areas at the backs of houses were also being rapidly covered over. The Act of 1855 had provided that 100 superficial feet should be left open—