As reported in the Salisbury Journal two weeks ago, a blue plaque has been erected in Macklin Road celebrating the 100th anniversary of Salisbury’s first council estate. In actual fact, it might be considered somewhat fortunate that the site was ever built at all.

On November 11, 1918, Prime Minister Lloyd George promised a system of treasury grants to cover housing costs which would allow local authorities the capital to build decent “working-class” properties. The proposed plan was to build 500,000 new houses in three years under the new Housing Act of 1919 – commonly known as the ‘Addison Act’.

However, out of the promised 500,000 houses only 176,000 were built due to lack of funds and the shortage of skilled manpower. By 1921, the programme was halted - only the houses that had already been started or for which contracts had been approved and exchanged were built.

Macklin Road had already been started on April 13, 1920 but a letter sent to the Town Council from the Housing Commissioner caused consternation. It suggested that the proposed cost of the new estate was exceptionally high and cutbacks were needed. However, the Town Council responded by pointing out that the estate had already been approved by the Housing Commissioner, and they would have nothing else than the houses which had been approved. Feelings were running high and Cllr Wort stated that if things took a certain course, “They might ask for authority to go to the Housing Commissioner and tell him straight that they were tired of the policy of dilly and dally and wait and see.”

Salisbury Town Council stood its ground against the Housing Commissioner and the building went ahead as originally planned. Cllr Lady Hulse, moved the recommendation that the new site should be named “Macklin Road” after the great service conducted by their War Mayor, James Macklin.

Only two houses in Macklin Road remain under council ownership.