By the end of the 18th Century, Nottingham was overcrowded; housing was inadequate and the insanitary conditions led to a higher than average mortality rate. The densely populated centre was surrounded by fields though the townspeople had little access to this space while attempts to allow the town to expand were resisted for over 50 years.
Nottingham c.1833
Courtesy of Nottinghamshire Archives
Nottingham from the South across the Meadows c.1750. Courtesy of Nottingham City Council and www.picturethepast.org.uk
In January 2014, Professor John Beckett discussed the condition of Nottingham in the early 19th century and the arguments that eventually led to the
signing of the 1845 Enclosure Act that allowed the much-needed expansion, while preserving 130 acres of land to provide ‘green lungs’ for the benefit of the people of Nottingham.
Click on this link to ready the full paper. Nottingham’s Enclosure Act
