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Park Road on the west and the boundaries of the district on the other
two sides. It includes 857 properties of which some 450 would require
adaptations of varying degrees.
On the 14th December. 1959. a Smoke Control Order for this area
was made and a detailed survey of it was started. On the 16th March,
1960, the Ministry confirmed the area and the date on which it became
operative as being the 1st October, 1960. Immediately the area was
confirmed a circular letter giving details of the smoke control area
and its implications, together with application forms for approval of
adaptations were sent to all householders within the area.
On the 12th to the 18th June the Solid Smokeless Fuels Federation
toured this area with a mobile exhibition on smokeless fuels and
appliances.
Applications for approval of works were received in the department,
the numbers at first being small but gradually increasing as the
period for adaptations advanced. However, at the first October
approximately only 70 per cent of the premises which were known as
a result of the survey to require adaptations had made an application
for approval of works to be carried out.
A number of householders did not comply with the provisions of
the Clean Air Act regarding the making of application for approval
of works of adaptation and the claiming of grant and consequently
they unfortunately lost their grant. The apparent cause in the majority
of these cases seemed to be that occupiers did not read the various
information and instructions given to them on the forms. The main
reason for loss of grant was the installation of equipment before the
Council's approval had been given. In the instructions on the back
of the form regarding application for adaptations it was definitely
stated that no work must be commenced or any expense incurred
until the Council's approval had been received and this particular
instruction was underlined.
At the same time as the survey for the No. 1 area was proceeding
a pilot survey for area No. 2 was under way and on 26th February,
1960, the necessary information for presenting the area for provisional
approval by the Ministry was reported to Council. This area contained
874 houses and it was estimated that 740 fireplaces would require
adaptation.
The Ministry was informed of the proposal for area No. 2 and a
provisional approval was received from them on the 7th June.
Immediately this approval was received a detailed survey was started
and on the 6th December it was completed and a report was made to
the Committee.
On the 7th July a circular No. 28/60 was received from the Ministry
of Housing and Local Government in which the use of sticks and
paper for lighting fires was approved in houses in which there was no
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