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It will be a Condition of Tenancy for new dwellings or business accommodation
in the area that no smoke shall be emitted from the premises, and the use of solid
fuel in the premises other than an approved smokeless fuel will be prohibited unless
the tenant can show that supplies of smokeless fuel are not reasonably obtainable
or can show other reasonable grounds for not using smokeless fuel. At the time
of the Council's decision a number of new dwellings in this area had been completed,
and a further 97 were to become available for letting during the following few
months. All these dwellings are being fitted with grates capable of burning any
smokeless fuel, and gas ignition is also being provided.
With regard to the Council's Bostall Estate, all the 128 dwellings in the course
of erection at the present time are being fitted with gas ignition, and on completion
of this work the special tenancy clause will also be applied to these dwellings.
The Council are convinced that with suitably designed and installed apparatus
properly managed, and with regular supplies of the right fuel, smokeless heating is
liked by the tenants and is no more expensive than burning bituminous coal.
Before deciding to set up a smokeless area the Council invited local fuel retailers
to a meeting, at which the Council's proposals were explained to them and at which
representatives of producers of the various types of smokeless fuel were present.
A full exchange of views took place and the practical effects of the Council's action
was discussed. The support and co-operation of local fuel merchants was promised.
The possibility of making other areas in the Borough smokeless will be considered
by the Council in the light of experience gained from the St. Mary's Area.
Information on the Council's publicity campaign devoted to the prevention of
smoke, particularly from domestic premises, is referred to in the section of the
Report dealing with Health Education.
Recording and Measurement of Atmospheric Pollution, 1954.
During the year monthly readings of the amount of sulphur and deposited
matter (grit) collected at the five stations set up by the Council for measuring and
recording air pollution were obtained. The Public Analyst has assisted in this
work and the results are being made available to the Department of Scientific and
Industrial Research.
The results of the monthly readings during 1954 were as follows :—
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