Broad Marsh and Narrow Marsh - The Story of a Nottingham Community Slum Clearance and Re-development

 

Nottingham Corporations' attempts to improve housing and health conditions led to major redevelopment in the 1920s. Following reports by the medical officer of health, and under the Housing Act 1890, the Red Lion Street Unhealthy Area was established. Red Lion Street, formerly known as Narrow Marsh, ran along the northern boundary of the Narrow Marsh area, just below the sandstone cliff of High Pavement.

A Housing Committee report on Red Lion Street recommended an improvement scheme to clear the slums and reconstruct the streets and houses. The document (reference: CA/TC/10/121/6/12, right) is an extract from the 1923 report on the Red Lion Street Unhealthy Area. The plan (reference: CA/TC/10/121/6/12, above) shows the areas in red highlighted for demolition. .

 

The demolition of Red Lion Street was done piecemeal, with the southern part of the street undertaken first. This photograph (left) shows the surviving northern part of the street following the beginning of demolition (reference: CA/TC/10/121/1/33). The Loggerheads Public House remains standing after most of the area was finally demolished.

The plan (reference: CA/TC/10/121/6/12, right) of the proposed Red Lion Street Area, 1923, shows the planned layout of new roads. Subsequent building was not entirely according to this plan, but a development of council houses eventually replaced most of the original properties

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