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80
Fiilham Power Station.—In November, 1930, the Government Chemist's
final report was published, and about the same time notice was given of
the intention of the Fulham Borough Council to apply for the consent of
the Electricity Commissioners, to the erection of a large extension to their
power station at Townmead Road, Fulham. Under the provisions of the
Electricity Supply Act, 1919, before such a scheme receives the sanction of
the Electricity Commissioners, a public inquiry may be held at which
objections can be heard. The local authorities mentioned above, fortified
by the decision of the Manchester Corporation v. Farnworth case given by
the House of Lords, decided to lodge objections and to appear at any inquiry
to be held. On this occasion they were fortunate in being associated
with the London County Council, who were also raising opposition.
The principle involved was based on apprehensions as to dangers
likely to arise from the working of the proposed station at Fulham; and
there was also the larger issue, the settlement once and for all of measures
to be taken at all new and large power stations to prevent nuisance and
dangers from sulphur fumes and other deleterious effluents. There had
been much public discussion on these matters, and although the Manchester
case drew attention to the effects, no judicial body had ever expressed an
opinion on the prevention of these dangers. There was thus crystallised
at this public inquiry a great volume of public opinion, supported by
scientific evidence to the effect that, unless efficient preventive measures
were taken, the Fulham Power Station would be a source of danger to the
health of the neighbouring districts and, further, would definitely cause
material damage to buildings.
The objecting authorities submitted that consent should not be given
to the scheme unless the Commissioners were satisfied as to the adequacy
of the means for preventing nuisance and dangerous fumes from the
station when in operation ; alternatively, that a station should be erected
near the estuary of the Thames where the effects of such nuisance would
be minimised.
The inquiry was held in December, 1930. The L.C.C., who bore half
the expenses of the objecting authorities, were supported by the City of
Westminster, the Royal Borough of Kensington, and Chelsea. Among the
expert witnesses on their side were Prof. J. S. Haldane, Dr. J. S. Owens,
Sir Frank Baines, F.R.T.B.A. (who offered convincing evidence supported
by photographs of the actual damage to ancient buildings caused by the
sulphur gases in the air of industrial towns), Mr. J. A. Robertson, consulting
engineer, Dr. Daly, a medical officer of the L.C.C., and your Medical Officer
of Health. Much of the medical evidence turned upon increased liability