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55
In addition, the Council undertook the weekly collection of house
refuse from some 250 premises at the Royal Air Force Station, Biggin
Hill.

All the refuse is disposed of by means of controlled tipping. Lowlying
land is brought up to the levels of adjoining land by layer formation.
The refuse is deposited in layers of 6 to 8 feet deep and
covered with soil or non-combustible material to form an effective
seal. This sealing of the tip causes the organic matter to ferment,
thereby creating heat which is sufficient to destroy flies and their
eggs.
More districts are adopting controlled tipping as a method of
refuse disposal. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government
Public Cleansing Returns for 1937/38 showed that 204 Authorities
used this method and 86 mechanical means. The 1952/53 returns
showed 279 and 61 respectively and the latest return (1953/54) 296 and
65.
As the tip at Downe was nearing completion, the Council
endeavoured to lease or purchase low-lying land of poor agricultural
value at Budgins Hill, Pratts Bottom, but agreement was not reached.
A compulsory purchase order was applied for and in October a
Ministry of Housing and Local Government public enquiry was held.
Proceedings lasted all day and subsequently the Inspector presiding
over the Enquiry visited the site in question and also other suggested
sites. At the end of the year the result of the Enquiry was awaited.