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It Happened in Norwich. Operation Prefab

1947 , Norwich (Norfolk)

Cat no. 118

The arrival and construction of 'prefab' housing as a solution to the post-war housing shortage.

The arrival and erection of a 'prefab' in the Heigham Road area of Norwich just after World War II. There are interior scenes as well as exterior shots of the building process. The film begins with the arrival of the 'prefab' and its positioning by crane on a pre-prepared base. The fireplace and a modern fitted bathroom are shown to be in place before the 'prefab' arrives. The sections are slotted together. The chimney is dropped in and the roof is fixed. Interior scenes show family activities, including washing up and putting the baby to bed. The film gives a good idea of the general layout and furnishing.

Featured Buildings

St. Philips Church, Heigham Road

Keywords

Building construction; Housing; Post-war economics; Prefabs

Background Information

2,000 Norwich homes were completely destroyed by the bombing campaigns in World War II. 30,000 were damaged, some beyond repair. The City Council launched an ambitious scheme to build 2,000 new homes in 5 years. This they managed. However, people could not remain homeless for that length of time.The prefabs were designed as short term accommodation. The first of 350 'prefabs' to be erected in Norwich was put up in 1946. They were designed to last for 10 years, but the last one, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Miller in Magpie Road, wasn't dismantled until 1976. This particular example is believed to have been in Belvoir Road.

Manifestations

It Happened in Norwich. Operation Prefab

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