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21
When certain smoke control orders were made the Council exempted, at the request of the Greater
London Council, some properties which were shortly due for either demolition or rehabilitation. Of these
premises still standing some have been improved and some still await either demolition or rehabilitation,
but it was felt the exemptions should not be further prolonged. The following variation orders were made
in order to cancel the exemptions contained in the principal orders:
Westminster (Harrow Road South) Smoke Control (Variation) Order 1971,
Westminster (Readings) Smoke Control (Variation) Order 1971,
Westminster (Maida Vale South) Smoke Control (Variation) Order 1971.
All undue emissions of smoke observed or reported to the Health Department are investigated and
appropriate action taken. There are many oil-fired boilers of varying sizes used in the City to provide
heating to offices, flats and shops and in addition to the usual smoke problems, they also give rise to
complaints of smuts and odours. Unlike visible smoke, the sources of smuts and odours are more difficult
to trace; nevertheless, although these investigations are somewhat time-consuming, considerable success is
achieved in remedying this kind of nuisance. During the year, the Smoke Control Officer made 204(215)
visits in connection with complaints received, 461(371) smoke observations and 995(957) routine visits.
New boiler installations notified to the Council under Section 3 of the Clean Air Act 1956 are
investigated to ensure that (a) they are capable of operating smoklessly and (b) the flue gases are discharged
so as not to inconvenience persons working and living nearby. During 1971 a total of 56(64) such
notifications were received, of which 11(12) included application for the Council's approval of new boilers.
Section 6 of the Clean Air Act 1968 gives the Council control over the height of chimneys of larger
boiler installations. All new chimneys, or existing chimneys serving boilers the combustion space of which
has been enlarged, must be approved by the Council, this approval being additional to all existing planning
and constructional requirements. Thirteen (13) such applications were received, of which 1(—) was not
approved.
North Westminster Project
It was reported last year that the process of detailed inspection of houses for rehabilitation had
commenced and an outline was given of the methods being employed.
The surveys were completed during the early part of 1971 but the follow up with the owners was
delayed as a result of the loss of staff and the inability to replace them quickly. The continuing response
from owners already contacted had to be given priority, much staff time being required for the necessary
discussion and checking of schemes and for involvements with the numerous and genuine difficulties facing
the private owner.
Some tenants were offered alternative accommodation by the City Council in order that schemes could
proceed. This assistance was limited in extent and there was of course no compulsion on the tenants to
accept any offer made. Seven tenants actually accepted alternative accommodation.
The number of houses with schemes in progress or completed at the end of the year was seventy six
representing one hundred and seventy three units of accommodation to the desired standards. Whilst on the
face of it this appears to be relatively slow progress, the difficulties attendant upon converting this type of
intensely multi-occupied property to satisfactory self contained units must not be underestimated. Again
there were many schemes in preparation and many more contemplated so that at this stage it is more
important to note that the general response from owners and tenants continued to be favourable to the
overall objectives. Thus as the ability to assist in solving the difficulties increases it is reasonable to
anticipate that progress will be made in providing satisfactory living conditions for an increasing number of
families.
During the year surveys were also commenced in the Edbrooke Road, Great Western Road, Coomassie
Road North, Coomassie Road South and Shirland Road redevelopment areas preparatory to their
acquisition.