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of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, in order to ensure that any plan agreed by the
Department will meet, as far as can be foreseen, legislation in addition to that relating to drainage
only.
Of 1,036 (810) drainage plans approved during the year, 93 (79) related to new buildings.
A total of 13,075 (11,198) visits were made by the Public Health Inspectors in connection with
drainage and new development matters but no circumstances were found which necessitated legal
proceedings.
The number of new buildings constructed by private enterprise appears to have continued to
decrease, probably due in part to Government restrictions and, in part, to scarcity of sites. Those
buildings that are in course of erection have a tendency to be of the multi-user type and every
effort is made to ensure that the often conflicting interests involved are reconciled.
The construction of new hotel accommodation is still increasing rapidly. Two new hotels—one
in Bayswater, the other in Park Lane—were opened during the course of the year. Work of
site clearance in respect of four more was commenced in the latter part of the year—two in
Portman Square, one in Lowndes Square and one in Hamilton Place. Final details of these are
not yet available but when coupled with modernisation and extensions to older hotels which are
taking place, the total number of additional bedrooms being provided is in the region of 2,000.
New educational establishments, designed to serve many different purposes, are in course of
construction; the London School of Economics, College of Science and Technology, New
Cavendish Street; King's College, Strand; a secondary school in Pimlico and a primary/junior
school in Paddington are examples.
In the field of housing, approximately 600 houses and flats built by private enterprise have been
completed and approximately 850 are in course of construction. New Local Authority housing
schemes, both by the Greater London Council and Westminster City Council, which have demanded
much attention, include Abbotts Manor, Lisson Green and Walterton Road areas.
Two projects that are particularly welcome are those of the Central London Housing Trust
for the Aged which will provide new purpose-designed living accommodation in two buildings
with the necessary ancillary services for some 400 old people. This will be a valuable contribution
towards a long-felt need.
New techniques and materials affecting those parts of the building industry which lie within
the supervision of the Department continue to be developed, some in advance of official recognition,
and the officers maintain their efforts to keep fully informed of all such trends.
Sewerage
The City Council's sewers discharge into the trunk sewers of the Greater London Council and
are controlled and maintained by the City Engineer. All premises in Westminster are connected
to the main drainage system, the sewage passing to disposal works of the Greater London Council
outside the area of the City. Although on occasions of exceptionally long and heavy rainfall
the trunk sewers at some points have been unable to accept the discharge of the City Council's
sewers, in general, the arrangements for Westminster appear to be adequate and there were no
reports of flooding during 1967. Flood levels reached at times of peak discharge are notified
to the City Council and are taken into account when development plans, etc., from Architects
or others are under consideration.
Town Planning
Observations were made by the Department on 90 (78) plans submitted to the Council under
the Town and Country Planning Act, 1962.
Clean Air
Daily measurements of smoke and sulphur dioxide are taken at the following stations:—
Anson House, Churchill Gardens, S.W.1.
Monck Street Depot, S.W.1.
London College of Fashion, Holies Street, W.1.
Westminster Council House Extension, W.1.
Rutherford School, Penfold Street, N.W.8.
"Newstead", Greville Place, N.W.6.
Paddington District Office, 313 Harrow Road, W.9.