View report page

97
environmental hazards in this country at the present time. It
is unfortunate that many of the backward authorities are those
with the highest rates of bronchitis".
A programme designed to create Smoke Control Areas to
cover the whole of the Borough by 1975 was approved by the
Council in 1965. Thirteen Smoke Control Areas were in operation
at the beginning of 1966. These covered an area of 4,073 acres
and contained approximately 18,451 premises.
Three further Smoke Control Orders, surveyed in 1965, were
confirmed by the Minister of Housing and Local Government and
came into operation on 1st November, 1966 as follows :—
Ward
Penge (part)
West Wickham North (part)
Martins Hill & Town (part)
Acreage
68
359
278
Premises
1,193
2,003
1,954
Of the 4,370 private dwellings in these three Smoke Control
Areas, it was estimated that 2,913 houses (67%) required works
of adaptation, ranking for grant aid, to enable the occupiers to
comply with the Smoke Control Order. It is interesting to note
that of the 2,913 entitled to financial assistance, only 57 per cent.
made applications and availed themselves of the grant.
The total cost of the approved work carried out amounted to
approximately £43,086, and the actual cost to the Council after
deduction of the Exchequer grant and the owner/occupier contribution
amounted to £12,925. The average approved cost per
dwelling where work was carried out was £26 0s. Od. and the
average amount of grant paid was £18 4s. Od.
Those who cannot afford to pay the three-tenths of the cost
of adaptations, not covered by grant, may apply for a hardship
grant. During the year 33 persons applied for this assistance and
grants were approved in 24 cases.
No difficulty was experienced during the year in connection
with the availability of smokeless fuel or with the sale of
unauthorised fuels in Smoke Control Areas.
A survey of the undermentioned areas was carried out and it
was recommended that Smoke Control Orders should be made and
submitted to the Minister for confirmation so that they could be
established in 1967 :—
Ward
Petts Wood (part)
Martins Hill & Town (part)
Plaistow & Sundridge (part)
Anerley
Acreage
685
268
346
Premises
3,423
3,164
2,436