Rushden Council Discusses Town Development Questions
Objection to Overhead Electric Cables
Building On Outskirts:  Sewers Refused On Ground Of Expense

  Special interest attached to debates at the Rushden Urban District Council’s meeting on Wednesday, for questions of town development policy were raised in practical form in connection with sewerage and electric lighting.

  The Council decided to lodge an objection against the erection of overhead electricity cables at the Court Estate unless guarantees are given for transference underground when the estate is developed.

  Sewerage was a more difficult problem, and produced a division of opinion.  The desire to encourage building was checked by the statement that a scheme for Kimbolton-road and the Court Estate might cost £10,000, members also pointing out that land nearer the centre of the town should be developed in preference to outlying areas.

  It was finally decided to refuse applications for new sewers.  The result of the “Slum Clearance” inquiry was announced – a vindication of the Council’s plans – and crossings for pedestrians were mentioned among road improvement schemes.

  Notice was received from the Rushden and District Electric Supply Co. of their intention to erect overhead electric lines along or across the Court-avenue roads.  On this the Highways Committee reported:  “It was agreed to take no exception on the understanding that if and when the Court Estate further developed, the lines would then be placed underground.”

  Having explained that he was not an interested party, Mr. Roe said he thought the committee were viewing this matter very lightly.

  “Here we have a good road on the outskirts of Rushden,” he continued, “and we are going to allow the Electric Light Company to put these wires overhead.  I think they ought to be put underground.  There is no doubt that this land will be developed considerably in the near future, especially if the Water Board takes a supply there.”

  Asked whether the Company had given any undertaking with regard to the future, the Clerk replied: “I have had an acknowledgment in which they say they will consider the matter if and when the estate is further developed.”

  The Council could still deal with the matter, the Clerk added, by appealing to the Ministry of Transport.

  Mr. Roe said he thought they should do so.

  The Clerk:  It will have to be done as soon as possible now.

  Mr. Roe:  Well, I object to it!

  Mr. Spencer said the lines should be put underground if the estate was developed.

“More Like A Colliery”

  Mr. White:  We should have a definite undertaking, I think.  If this is allowed to go in in other directions we shall soon have Rushden more like a colliery district.

  The Chairman:  If the Council is given no definite undertaking, am I to take it as a definite instruction that we are to appeal to the Ministry of Transport?

  Mr. Roe proposed and Mr. White seconded a resolution to that effect.

  Mr. Coles:  Suppose the Company refuse to carry on with the overhead wires, would that prejudice the case?

  The Clerk:  I think you must appeal now.

  Mr. Roe:  It is no use appealing when they are up.

  Mr. Wilmott:  They must give a definite promise, because that is why it was granted.  They have got it under those conditions.

  The Chairman:  The terms of the letter distinctly give no promise whatever to put the lines underground at any future time.

  The Clerk:  They simply say they would consider the matter.

  Mr. Perkins said it would be a waste of money for the Company to put the wires overhead and then, in three years’ time, transfer them underground.  The Council, however, might make it a business proposition, and a letter might be sent stating that for perhaps five or six years they would not interfere.

No Promise Given

  Mr. Richardson:  We don’t want to deprive these people of the light now that the Company has promised to put it in, but it seems that the wording of the minute is that it shall be placed underground at the proper time.

  The Chairman:  We already have a reply from the Company in which they give no definite promise to put these lines underground; therefore if they put overhead lines up we cannot appeal against them later on.  We must do it now.

  The Clerk:  The appeal must be made within a month of the notice, and that expires in a week’s time.

  Mr. Spencer:  We must have some protection.

  The Chairman:  The position is that if this undertaking is not given we appeal to the Ministry of Transport?

  This was agreed to.

Sewer Extensions
Expensive Proposals Not Entertained

  A letter was received from Messrs. Talbot Brown and Fisher, architects, Wellingborough, stating that Mr. Geo. W. Brown, of “Rosehill,” London-road, Wellingborough, had recently purchased some land with a frontage to the Kimbolton and Wellingborough roads of approximately 750 yards, and making applications for the Council to extend their sewer thereto.

  A similar application had previously been received from ten residents of the St. Crispin Estate, abutting Wellingborough-road, in respect of their properties.

  It was pointed out that it was impossible to connect up with the existing sewer, and that any scheme provided would involve the laying of a new main to the Kimbolton-road entrance of the works and the erection of a pumping plant there.

  Owing to the great expense that would be entailed by the provision of such a scheme, the Sanitary Committee were unable at the present time to recommend the Council to accede to the application.

  Mr. Sawford said he could quite understand the difficulty regarding the sewer on this estate, and the expense that would be incurred.  But did not the members think that in refusing this application they were stopping the progress of a prosperous site?  As for the St. Crispin Estate, it had been occupied for 20 years, and it was time it was developed.  If building proceeded on these estates it would mean additional rates for the town.

  Mr. Sawford finally moved that the minute be referred back to the committee.

  Seconding, Mr. Spencer said he thought they ought to know what the cost would be before they turned the scheme down.

Growing “Like A Star”

  Mr. Perkins said the committee went into this very carefully.  They did not want the town to grow like a huge star by having houses along the main roads.  There was plenty of land near the centre of the town, and it would not be fair to other ratepayers to develop the outskirts before they had developed the centre: it would not be fair to ask them to pay for miles of sewers along the main roads.

  They could not spend some thousands of pounds on purpose to benefit one small section at the expense of the general body of ratepayers.

  Dr. Greenfield said he opposed the reference back to committee.  They had considered the question on a number of occasions.  One of the schemes prepared some time ago would involve them in an expenditure of at least £5,000, and they were told now that this scheme was totally inadequate.

  Was it business to spend say £10,000 in order that two or three fields might be developed?  There was no end of land in convenient positions nearer the centre of the town, and they would be making a great mistake to spread the town along the main roads for the benefit of people who had bought land cheap and wanted to make the best of it.

Sewer Too Small

  Mr. Hornsby said he took a different view.  They had got to remember that their present sewer was none too large to deal with what they had to deal with, and that in the case of a flood there were parts of the town very much upset by the sewer overflow.

  “For the love of me,” said Mr. Hornsby, “I don’t see why we should not find what it is going to cost and what these other people are prepared to pay towards it.  Surely to goodness we ought to do all we can to encourage the growth and development of the town.”

  If they had any interest in the development of the town they ought to consider what this scheme was going to cost before they turned it down.  Several times they had had requests from the people of St. Crispin Estate, and had had to turn them down.  Now they had this new development, and it might help.

  The Chairman said the committee’s recommendation did not prevent this particular scheme coming before the Council again.  Why the matter was deferred, more than anything, was that it would necessitate a survey of the whole of the land in that direction.  It would also necessitate Mr. Lloyd, the Surveyor, having extra help   One objection to the scheme was that they would be turning agricultural land into building land with ratepayers’ money and would get little benefit.

“Not Justified”

  Mr. Dilks said the committee members were pretty well unanimous that they should not proceed at the present juncture.  He did not think they would be justified in doing so, for, if they did, they might have the Court Estate come along with a similar request.

  Mr. Perkins asked for a rough estimate of what it would cost to find out the cost of a sewer extension scheme.

  The Assistant Surveyor (Mr. H. J. Gould) replied that the whole of the land in the vicinity would have to be surveyed.

  Mr. Perkins:  I take it that it would be at least £50.

  Mr. Gould:  Yes, quite that.

  Mr. Wilmott suggested an adjournment for 12 months.

  The Chairman:  I am afraid that is a direct negative, and I cannot accept it.

  In the voting a show of hands was necessary.  The motion to refer the minute back, though supported well on the Labour side of the table, was defeated.

Slum Clearance
Council’s Orders Confirmed By Ministry

  There was a chorus of “Hear, hear” when the Clerk announced that a communication had been received stating that the Minister of Health had decided to confirm the whole of the Orders submitted by the Council under the “slum clearance” scheme.

  The Rates Clerk (Mr. Herbert Lack) was instructed to prepare a rate of 5/3 in the £ for the second half of the year, as already provided for.

  The salary of Mr. A. Maclean (the Accountant) was increased as from October 1, to the full sum provided for in the terms of appointment, the officer’s service having proved satisfactory.

  A Ministry of Transport letter reminded the Highways Committee that it was the Council’s duty under the Road Traffic Act, 1934, either to submit proposals for foot passenger crossings or state the reasons why crossings were unnecessary.

  The committee decided that crossings were required, and appointed Messrs. Coles, Allebone and Spencer to prepare a scheme.

  The question of improving the Washbrook-road Triangle was considered by the Highways Committee, who instructed the Surveyor to confer with the County Surveyor.

  In the case of the suggested improvement of the High-street and Church-street corner, the committee were “not yet in a position to report.”

  The Lighting Sub-Committee was authorised to arrange for the lighting of the new road near the Masonic Hall.

Waiting For A Name

  Plans were approved of four houses in Avenue-road, Court Estate, for Mr. A. Osborne; house, Park-avenue, Mr. B. Dilks; two houses, Park-avenue, Messrs. A. Sanders, Ltd.; two houses and shops, Wellingborough-road, Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons; two houses, Upper Queen-street, Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons; cart shed at 38, Higham-road, Miss B. A. Crane.

  Mr. Spencer enquired whether the name of the new road off Wellingborough-road had been selected.  Several houses had been completed, he said, and some of the residents were complaining because the street was not named.

  The Clerk (Mr. W. L. Beetenson) replied that the matter would be brought before the next meeting of the Highways Committee.

  The Surveyor was instructed to have the Spencer Park bowling greens and tennis courts returfed where necessary.

  Mr. Green said the courts and greens were very bad in some places and needed returfing in patches where they had been used most.

  Mr. Spencer said the park looked very bad as it was now, and he wondered if anything had been discussed with regard to further tennis courts.

  Mr. Green:  That has not been considered yet, but I will put it before the next meeting.

  Spencer Park pitches were rented to the Rushden Co-op Thursday F.C. and the Rushden St. Mary’s Ladies’ Hockey Club.

Future Of The Baths

  The Parks and Baths committee announced that their next meeting would be held at the Baths.

  Mr. Green said they would discuss various matters with regard to the baths for next season.

  To the Health and Sanitary Committee the Medical Officer (Dr. Muriset) reported that since the last meeting a sample of water from the baths had been taken and submitted for bacteriological examination, the result being quite satisfactory.

  Mr. Coles reported that in response to an invitation he had attended a conference of curators of various museums, which was held at Kettering in June last.  It appeared that for an annual subscription of 5/- the Council could join the East Midlands Federation of Museums and Art Galleries.

  It was agreed that considerable benefits would accrue through being members of this Federation, and the Council decided to become members.

  Mr. Coles was authorised to attend the next meeting, which will be held at the Museum and Art Gallery, Derby, in October.

  The Parks, Baths and Hall Committee accepted Mr. G. Townsend’s offer of £10 for permission to graze part of the Hall Park until June 30, 1935.

  Messrs. Chas. Thurston and Sons were granted the use of a portion of Spencer Park during Feast Week for the usual charge of £25.

Cemetery Trees

  It was decided to hold a Rat Week from November 5 to 10, and to pay 2d. per tail.

  An unusual item in the Cemetery report was the application of Mr. Charles Smith for the removal of a large tree which was damaging the graves of James and Elizabeth Hewitt.  The sub-committee granted the request.

  It was decided to lop the trees at the rear of Winchester-road.

  The Finance Committee had considered the funding of the various loans raised subject to a redemption clause, but had not yet decided the question.

  A letter from the Adult School Young Men’s Bible Class, inviting the members to a service next Sunday, was formally received.

J.P.s Congratulated

  At the close of the business Mr. Allen said he would like to refer to the honour that had been conferred upon two prominent townsmen, Mr. Allebone and Mr. Horrell, by the Lord Chancellor in making them magistrates for the County of Northamptonshire.  It was not only an honour to them for services rendered to the town and county, but an honour to the town as well, and in the members’ name he congratulated them very heartily.

  Members in attendance were Messrs. J. Allen, J.P. (chairman), J. White, J. Roe, T. W. Cox, F. Green, W. E. Capon, L. Perkins, M.B.E., J. S. Denton, A. Wilmott, J. Spencer, J.P., J. E. Dilks, G. W. Coles, J.P., W. J. Sawford, J. Hornsby, J. T. Richardson, D. G. Greenfield, M.D., and E. A. Sugars.  – Mr. A. Allebone, J.P., C.C. who was away on business, sent an apology for absence.