View report page

60
the less appreciated that as long as these places remained unguarded and
so provided facilities for the birds roosting, similar treatment would be
needed at intervals. The numbers of birds increased and they were causing
such a nuisance that authority was again given for those in the same
places to be treated. This treatment was successful and led to a reduction
in the numbers of birds and in a marked abatement of the nuisance.
Caravan Site
For many years the caravan site at North Lodge, Edgware, has been a
matter of concern to those of the Public Health Department. To this
site which has not been adapted for the purpose, a growing number of
caravans has been admitted. The Public Health Committee have the
necessary powers to enforce compliance with the standards set out in the
provisions of the Middlesex County Council Act, 1944 but over the period
has had to hold its hand because of fresh proposals about the
site which, had they materialised, would have brought to an end the use of
the plot as a caravan site. In the meantime, the conditions have remained
unsatisfactory, the sanitary accommodation being insufficient, the
arrangements for the water supply not very satisfactory and the approaches
to the caravans also unsatisfactory. All that it has been possible to
achieve has been a reduction in the number of caravans with a limit now
of a maximum of fifteen vans on the site. The most recent of the proposals
was that of the County Council to make a compulsory purchase order:
but this proposal too has come to nought. The Caravan Sites and Control
of Development Act, 1960 might be of help. An application has now been
received from the owner for a licence to use the land in this way. On the
other hand, the views of the Planning Committee are that the County
Council should proceed to make a "discontinuance order" under Section
26 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947 to extinguish the "existing
use" rights.