Speculative housebuilding and some aspects of the activities of the speculative housebuilder within the Greater London outer suburban area 1919-1939

Between the two world wars the built-up area of Greater London almost doubled in size. Although a distinct 'suburban trend' became increasingly obvious between 1860 and 1913, the physical dimensions of London's interwar suburban development were far greater than anything previously experienced. In spite of lower residential densities between the wars, a comparison of housebuilding levels before and after The Great War clearly reveals the scale of interwar residential development activity. Thus, in each year between 1871 and 1913 an average of 14,177 dwellings were built within the Metropolitan Police District, 1 while between 1920 and 1937 the annual average. was 41,839. In view of the unparalleled level of housebuilding activity between the wars, it seems extraordinary that the interwar speculative housebuilder and estate developer should have generally escaped the detailed attention of students interested in the history of our urban areas. The 'aim of the present study is to correct, at least in part, this deficiency. The interwar speculative housebuilder and his activities within the Greater London outer suburban area therefore provide the central theme for this work.