Wiltshire County Council

Although devoid of statutory powers other than those held under the various Public Health Acts, Wiltshire County Council was deeply concerned about the development of the married quarters estates. Prior to the war there had been growing government concern about uncontrolled building development, and particularly about the so-called ribbon development along arterial roads and the consequent urbanization of rural areas. A committee headed by Lord Justice Scott was set up to investigate this and related matters, and continued to sit throughout the war. In February, 1942, in reply to a query from Lord... 

The married quaners estate was purchased by the local authority in 1958 and a few years later Wiltshire County Council ruled that the workers hostel and the ninety-four married quarters must be demolished by the end of 1965. At that time 70% of the tenants were Enfield workers, a substantial proportion of the 200 people still employed underground. The wartime huts were subsequently replaced by a permanent estate of council houses, but the community centre and dance hall remained and were later taken over by Royal Enfield as a drawing office and stores. After 1970 the surface buildings were used for a short time by a local rubber company, but in the early 1980s the land was partially cleared to make way for a housing development, which was later cut back substantially when concern was raised about the stability of the mine workings under the site. 

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