Back to backs are they illegal? – Skyscraper City
March 28th, 2014
There’s a discussion going on and a considerable increase in hits to my blog since somebody posted the link from:-
https://www.skyscrapercity.com
and so I returned to thinking about whether they are illegal or not given that Ellesmere is about to be built, and that Goldhawk Road Mk1 was nearly built.
The reference of course is the 1909 Housing Act for which I have a page here:-
and the salient point there is ventilation.
“if the medical officer of health for the district certifies that the several tenements are so constructed and arranged as to secure effective ventilation of all habitable rooms in every tenement”
Modern back to backs and single aspect flats, have, in some cases, mechanical ventilation which I have to presume without further evidence, satisfies building control that the dwellings are fit for human habitation.
I’m happy to hear from any architects who wish to contribute to this discussion. I don’t have the last word on this, I’m just looking at the law and drawing my own conclusions.