Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hornsey, Borough of]
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CLEAN AIR
SMOKE CONTROL AREAS
In January 1959 the Minister of Housing and Local Government urged
local authorities to increase the tempo in declaring smoke control areas, also
to prepare a five year programme and submit it to the Minister with an estimate
of the number of years likely to be needed to complete plans for areas as a whole.
A plan for Hornsey has been agreed which divides the Borough into twelve
areas, each containing approximately 3, 000 dwellings and following the ward
boundaries in most cases. A map showing the areas and the suggested order
of dealing with the first five is given on page 31. It is hoped to make one new
Order each year and complete the programme by 1970.
To illustrate the improvement to be effected, a map is included on page
32 showing smoke control areas likely to be effective within the five year programme
in the Boroughs adjacent to the Hornsey boundaries.
Area No. 1
The Borough's first Smoke Control Order was made in January 1959.
Objections were received and a public inquiry held in April.
After considering the report of Her Majesty's Inspector who conducted
the inquiry, the Minister confirmed the Order, but postponed the date of
operation for one year to 1st September 1960.
In confirming the Order the Minister stated that he had considered objections
made regarding the choice of the area. Judged without reference to
the Council's programme for the Borough as a whole, he agreed that they had
some force, but that it was necessary to take into account the Council's proposal
to make the whole Borough a smoke control area.
A booklet setting out details of grants available and conditions to be observed
was sent in July to all owners and occupiers of premises in which fireplaces
needed alteration or replacement. Proposal forms were also sent but
very few were returned by the end of the year.
Area No. 2
The detailed survey of Area No. 2 was completed in October 1959 and
the Order made by the Council in November. The estimated total cost of
carrying out necessary adaptations and conversions was £28,136. No objections
were received, and confirmation of the Order was received from the
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