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35
Atmospheric Pollution.
Clean Air Act, 1956.
Smoke Control Areas.
Confirmation by the Minister of Housing and Local Government
of the Council's No. 2 Smoke Control Order, which had been declared
by the Council in September, 1960, was received in May, 1961, the
only modification being the change of the operative date from the
1st October, 1961, to the 1st December, 1961. It was later necessary to
extend this date until the 1st May, 1962, residents in the Area not
having been able to take advantage of the Spring months of 1961 to
carry out adaptations.
With the Nos. 1 and 2 Areas, approximately 287 acres are now
covered by Smoke Control Orders, and this acreage will be enlarged
as rapidly as possible.
The officers employed in the Smoke Control Areas make house-tohouse
visits to all premises, giving advice and leaving explanatory
literature. When the Order is confirmed, each household receives an
application form for approval of proposed works of adaptation and
estimated costs, with an instruction to forward it, upon completion, to
the Public Health Department. It is usual then for a further visit to be
made, if necessary, concerning the work or to give any further advice,
and an inspection of the completed work is made when payment of
grant is applied for. During the year 2,684 visits were made; 431 applications
for approval, relating to 754 conversions, were received, and
grants approved amounted to £7,618.
The map on page 36 gives an indication of the two Areas already
declared and confirmed. It is intended to continually expand the areas
of smoke control until by 1965 at least one half of the Borough will be
covered by Smoke Control Orders. That part of the Borough to the
north of the railway is largely in the process of redevelopment, and by
1965 a clearer picture of the requirements in connection with Smoke
Control Orders will be available. The new estates constructed are in
themselves free from smoke emission, and it will be necessary only to
deal with the remaining private residences and industrial and other
commercial premises.
Smoke, etc., Nuisances and Observations.
During the year, 16 complaints were made alleging nuisances from
smoke, dust, grit, etc., emitted from the premises in various parts of the
Borough. All these complaints received careful and sometimes
prolonged investigation.
A number of complaints were received in connection with one large
Firm in the Borough, concerning not only smoke emission but pungent
odours arising from the manufacturing processes involved. The matter
has received prolonged observation and investigation by officers of the
Public Health Department, and the Firm in question has carried out
extensive works, both to their boiler plants and to their process, in an
endeavour to eliminate the cause of nuisance. This work is continuing,
and upon its completion it is hoped that no further cause for complaint
will arise.
In addition to dealing with specific complaints, observations are
kept upon the chimneys of any industrial plant which merits observation,
and the appropriate action taken. A total number of 261
observations were made. One notice was served.