Weekend News — 'Inside the Houses You Either Love or Hate'

INSIDE THE HOUSES YOU EITHER LOVE OR HATE by Lynette Cobb YOU EITHER love or hate the ultra-modern houses opposite St Peter's Church at Frimley. They are certainly a considerable talking point. And you don't invite me to walk past them without looking at them. The average housewife would probably be at a loss to find the front door. That is, if she could recognise one at all from the outside. They look like flats; an eyesore, and the most frightful waste of money; like army shoe boxes piled high. Grim. How about a look from the inside? ATTRACTIVE I was not only surprised, but extremely attracted to the houses once inside them. They are a triumph of planned use of space. The rooms, though they appear small, are of an acceptable size. Well lit by natural light, the modern design is certainly attractive. COST Of the many criticisms, the one which sticks closest is the original cost. The houses were built by the Apex Housing Society for just over £6,000 each about four years ago. Today they are valued at between £10,000 and £12,000. It was not going to be cheap building. The architect, Lawrence Abbott, called them town houses. With just a few years of communal garden, parks, with an attractive approach — householders can pay for the highest I paid £6 a week for — He's probably right. Photos show: ARCHITECT Lawrence Abbott and resident; ANNETTE and Brian with their daughter. [Note: Some text is partially obscured by the fold in the newspaper clipping.]