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14
Smoke Control Area.—As I predicted in my last Annual Report
it has been possible to complete the preliminary and final survey
during the year under review covering an area in the south-east
corner of the borough bounded by Edgware Road, Bayswater Road,
Sussex Gardens and Westbourne Street. In accordance with the
directions contained in the Minister's Memorandum on Smoke
Control Areas, consultations took place at officer level following
the preliminary survey. On the advice of the officers of the Ministry
it was agreed that the area referred to above should be the subject
of two orders instead of one, mainly due to the large redevelopment
which is proceeding in parts of the area concerned. The first Order
it is anticipated will operate on the 1st October, 1959, and the second
Order on the 1st October, 1969.
At this stage I think it would be helpful to give a brief outline
of the procedure which had to be followed for the preparation of
the necessary information before submitting to the Minister the
salient features of the project to which the Council is committed. In
particular I wish to refer to the excellent work of Mr. G. S. Adams,
the Area Public Health and Clean Air Inspector who, with the
assistance of one clerical officer and the three student Inspectors (as
and when their duties permitted) enabled me to submit my recommendation
to the Council for the adoption of their first Smoke
Control Area.
The first Order designated " Hyde Park No. 1 Smoke Control
Order, 1959 " comprises 11 industrial premises, 131 commercial
premises and 2,658 dwellings, all of which had to be visited and the
requisite information obtained as to the form of heating and the
amount of fuel consumed; also particulars as to the installations
which would require adaptation or replacement to comply with
the provisions of the Clean Air Act, 1956. The estimated total cost
involved is £2,054 made up as follows. New appliances of different
types to be installed amount to 103 at an estimated total cost of
£855; total cost of other works attributable to installation of new
appliances is estimated at £762; adaptation costs and provision of gas
or electric points is estimated at £437. Of this total cost of £2,054
the Council's share is three-tenths estimated at £616. The balance
is met by a grant of £822 from the Minister, and the owners or
occupiers contribution of three-tenths, estimated at £616.
As the Council are aware this important work will continue
until the whole of the borough has been covered. The question of
providing adequate assistance has been a problem and is receiving
my serious consideration. As will be appreciated no technical
assistance can be provided and therefore the final survey had
perforce to be undertaken by Mr. Adams in addition to his Area
Public Health Inspector's work.
However a start will be made early in 1959 on the preliminary
survey on the Lancaster Gate East Ward, and it is hoped that the
staff position will improve so that this important work can go on
uninterrupted until the entire borough becomes a Smoke Control
Area within the course of the next ten years.
Clean Air Act, 1956, Section 3.—Up to the end of 1958
twenty-nine notifications had been given under section 3 (3) of
intention to instal a furnace at premises within the Borough and
sixteen applications for " prior approval " were made and granted.