View report page

21
and public houses, one school, one clinic, one church, one church
hall, seven factories and one workplace. Assuming an average
consumption of 30 cwts. of coal per dwelling per year, a total of
approximately 2,000 tons of coal per annum would need to be
replaced by smokeless fuels. It was estimated that the majority
of dwellings would require the installation of a modern approved
appliance with gas connection. No adaptation of appliances in
bedrooms was considered except in special circumstances. It was
estimated that the total cost of adaptation and conversion in the
proposed area would amount to £14,000, seven-tenths of this
amount would be paid by the Council (the Exchequer repaying
four-tenths), and the remaining three-tenths would be paid by the
owner or occupier. This would mean the Borough Council being
responsible for £4,200, the Exchequer £5,600, and the owners or
occupiers, £4,200.
In visiting the houses, and after explaining what the scheme
would involve, it was found that the great majority of people
welcomed the suggestion of the installation of a modern heating
appliance, and approved the principle of a smoke control area.
It is intended that when approval of the scheme is received
from the Minister, a Publicity Campaign will be undertaken so
that owners and occupiers in the area, and the public in general
are aware of the requirements of the Order, and can readily obtain
information and assistance from the Borough Council.
Our representatives attended a meeting of South London Authorities
at Deptford Town Hall—there was a general discussion and
a resolution was passed welcoming the Clean Air Act and agreeing
that the fullest co-operation and exchange of information between
the 3oroughs was desirable.
In order that firms who are proposing to construct buildings in
the Borough are made aware of the new requirement that notification
has to be given to the Council of the installation of new
furnaces or additions to existing furnaces, it is our practice to
send an explanatory letter with application form to the architects
or other persons concerned.
If plans and specifications are submitted to, and approved by
the Council, the furnace is deemed to be as far as practicable,
smokeless. During the year eight notifications were received and
plans and specifications in respect of one installation were
submitted and approval was given. Letters have been sent to all
builders and large property owners in the 3oroug'n urging them to
install approved appliances when replacing old-fashioned firegrates.
Several firms replied and expressed their intention to
co-operate, and it is hoped that it will become the general practice
to install approved appliances.
The Council has in use two Standard Deposit Gauges, three
Lead Peroxide Instruments and one Smoke and Volumetric SulphurDioxide
apparatus.