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- 39 -
DRAINAGE
Apart from frontage drains connecting a building to a sewer laid
beneath the highway, all works of drainage are supervised by the Public
Health Inspectors. This work continues to increase in both volume and
complexity with the ever increasing number of building projects. New
buildings tend to increase in height and be provided with more basement
and sub-basement accommodation, resulting in many new features of drainage
and ventilation requiring a different and wider approach than in the past
when systems and materials were more restricted. There are a number of
completely new types of materials and fittings installed in the Borough by
way of experiment and these are under constant review by the Public Health
Inspectors.
During the year 164 applications were received for the drainage of
premises and of this total 28 were in respect of combined schemes affecting
two or more separate premises.
TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING
Close liaison continues to exist with both the Town Clerk's and
Borough Engineer and Surveyor's Departments regarding all applications to
either the London County Council or the Chelsea Borough Council referred to
us for observations. The observations are then passed to the applicant
either direct or through the other department concerned, thus ensuring that
the person responsible for carrying out any accepted scheme is fully aware
of the various requirements of the Public Health Department before any work
is commenced. In certain cases our requirements indicate the unsuitability
of the proposals and a scheme may be abandoned or amended, but all concerned
are spared much waste of time and perhaps money, and the Inspectors ensure
that any development which takes place is in accord with the relevant Acts
and Bye-laws.
During the year 516 applications were referred to the Public Health
Department compared with 565 for the previous year.
LAND CHARGES
The number of enquiries dealt with was 1,345 compared with 1,319
during the preceding year. These concerned outstanding statutory or
informal notices, combined drainage orders, smoke control orders and
certificates of disrepair etc.