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The permanent Boy Scouts' Camp at Featherbed Lane continues
to be used in a very satisfactory manner and the residential
caravan camp established on land at Dean Lane, Merstham, still
operates subject to a final extension of permission granted by the
Ministry of Housing & Local Government which expires in
January, 1960. The maximum number of caravans that may be
stationed on the land during the limited period is 140.
Clean Air.
On the 1st June, 1958, the remaining provisions of The Clean
Air Act, 1956, came into force.
These additional powers cover the prohibition of dark smoke
from chimneys, control of grit and dust from furnaces, abatement
of smoke nuisances and the application of certain parts of the Act
to railway engines and shipping.
Local Authorities are required also to report to the responsible
Minister on any contraventions occurring at Crown premises.
It is considered unlikely that the provisions relating to dark
smoke will affect the users of appliances in private dwellings which
rarely make dark smoke as defined in the Act.
The nuisance provisions replace sections in The Public Health
Act, 1936, dealing with smoke nuisances and may be useful in
the control of incinerators or bonfires in gardens.
It will be seen that short of the establishment of Smoke
Control Areas, there is very little control over the emission of
smoke from private dwellings, yet as was stated in the Beaver
Report on Air Pollution, nearly half of all the smoke in the air
comes from domestic chimneys. It is incumbent upon all householders,
therefore, even in areas not so liable to air pollution to
do whatever possible to minimize the emission of smoke by the use
of approved appliances and smokeless fuel.
During the year a number of complaints of smoke nuisance
was received and investigated. Most were of a minor character
only and were remedied following representation to the persons
concerned.
There is little or no industrial smoke in the district.
Hairdressing Establishments.
Byelaws are now in force in the district which provide for
securing the cleanliness of premises and the instruments, towels,
equipment and materials used in the premises.
Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act, 1952.
Inspections are carried out, as necessary, to ensure that
domestic heating appliances offered or exposed for sale are fitted
with proper guards complying with standards prescribed in regulations
made under the Act.
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