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These areas account for 56% of the area of the District
and 21% of the dwellings in the District
The only objection which has so far been made to confirmation
of any of the Smoke Control Orders came from the
Middlesex County Council in respect of one of their schools
All other interested parties have willingly accepted such
consequences as having to get used to a different kind of
fuel or having to spend money on the conversion of firegrates
and have received the Council's proposals not only
with approval but with an unexpected degree of enthusiasm.
It augurs well for the future of the smoke control programme
that the general public at any rate, have adopted an enlightened
attitude towards it.
So far all work on Smoke Control Areas has been nh
sorbed into the normal routine of the Department but shortly
before the end of the year an assistant with suitable
building trade experience was appointed to the staff. His
duties will include the detailed surveys, most of the
clerical work associated with Smoke Control Areas, and to
some extent, inspecting adaptations or alterations to fireplaces
before the payment of grant is approved.
A meeting of coal and fuel distributors was held to
explain the Council's policy and to seek the co-operation
of the trade Whilst approval of Smoke Control Areas was
not unanimous there was an encouraging measure of support
and an undertaking was given by several merchants that they
would operate a trolly" service of coke in Smoke Control
Areas to overcome storage difficulties arising from the
greater bulk of coke as compared with coal
(b) Height of Chimneys.
Under Section 10 of the Clean Air Act, 1956 plans of
new -undustrial buildings deposited for byelaw approval must
be rejected if the height of any chimney shown on the plans
is insufficient
Such plans are passed to me by the Engineer & Surveyor
for a decision on this particular point, although it is
now becoming common for consultations to take place with
builders or architects before plans are submitted
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