Lady Grey
Well-known member
Post war prefabs
As the title implies, this is a two part report. I have to be honest when I say that I have struggled a little with this subject. Architecturally, the prefabs are not of great interest. However, they are of historical importance, because they were originally a temporary solution to housing shortages after the second world war, but have lasted for generations. These particular prefabs are some of the few existing communities like this in Cheltenham and are due for demolition.
The original foundations of these prefabs can be found on a 1945 version of a Google Earth street view map. I have not specified the exact location of the prefabs, because there are still families living in this now diminished community. They should be allowed to enjoy the rest of the time they have there, in peace. There are plans to redevelop the area with a new housing development, residents have gradually moved out in preparation for this. Since the credit crunch, it has been difficult to obtain morgages or secured loans on most non standard construction properties.
Prefabricated Housing was a concept envisioned by Winston Churchill, and was outlined in The Temporary Accommodation Act of 1944, to address the United Kingdom's post war housing shortages. He proposed to address the need for the 200.000 shortfall in housing stock, by building 500,000 prefabs with a lifespan of up to 10 years. The scheme got off to a good start, but proved to be too costly, they were more expensive to build than conventional houses. In the end only 156,623 prefabs were constructed.
Source - Wikipedia. For a more in depth history of prefabs see the Wikipedia article entitled British Post War temporary prefab houses.
This report has not really been able convey, the sense of community that was forged, during the years these prefabs have existed.. The residents that still live here, have well maintained comfortable homes and obviously take pride in them. I am grateful for the help of the couple that allowed me to traipse through their well cared for property, so that I could take some photographs. I would also like to thank them for their invaluable information regarding part two of this report. I would also like to thank my good friend PJ for his advice and technical help – without his assistance, there would be no report.
From humble beginnings, these temporary dwellings became homes, became communities.
As the title implies, this is a two part report. I have to be honest when I say that I have struggled a little with this subject. Architecturally, the prefabs are not of great interest. However, they are of historical importance, because they were originally a temporary solution to housing shortages after the second world war, but have lasted for generations. These particular prefabs are some of the few existing communities like this in Cheltenham and are due for demolition.
The original foundations of these prefabs can be found on a 1945 version of a Google Earth street view map. I have not specified the exact location of the prefabs, because there are still families living in this now diminished community. They should be allowed to enjoy the rest of the time they have there, in peace. There are plans to redevelop the area with a new housing development, residents have gradually moved out in preparation for this. Since the credit crunch, it has been difficult to obtain morgages or secured loans on most non standard construction properties.
Prefabricated Housing was a concept envisioned by Winston Churchill, and was outlined in The Temporary Accommodation Act of 1944, to address the United Kingdom's post war housing shortages. He proposed to address the need for the 200.000 shortfall in housing stock, by building 500,000 prefabs with a lifespan of up to 10 years. The scheme got off to a good start, but proved to be too costly, they were more expensive to build than conventional houses. In the end only 156,623 prefabs were constructed.
Source - Wikipedia. For a more in depth history of prefabs see the Wikipedia article entitled British Post War temporary prefab houses.
This report has not really been able convey, the sense of community that was forged, during the years these prefabs have existed.. The residents that still live here, have well maintained comfortable homes and obviously take pride in them. I am grateful for the help of the couple that allowed me to traipse through their well cared for property, so that I could take some photographs. I would also like to thank them for their invaluable information regarding part two of this report. I would also like to thank my good friend PJ for his advice and technical help – without his assistance, there would be no report.
From humble beginnings, these temporary dwellings became homes, became communities.
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