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and is prepared to pay directly, or indirectly, for the extra cost of a disposal system
which will not pollute the atmosphere.
Section 6 of the 1968 Act, because it applies to furnaces having an input of
million B.Th.U.'s. or over, has only been applicable to six chimneys. Because of the
costly tall chimneys required should there be a significant amount of sulphur in the
proposed fuel, there has developed the trend, after learning of the height required, of
proposing the use of a lower sulphur content fuel — or even going over to gas firing
which, to all intents and purposes, is sulphur free. If this trend continues this will
result in a further reduction of the sulphur compounds polluting the atmosphere.
Generally there is no difference between the interests of cleaner air and planning
control, for the general purpose of both is an improved environment. A proposed
chimney on the lower slopes of Richmond Hill had to be tall enough to avoid the
effluvia being prejudicial to health or cause a nuisance to the inhabitants of the dwellings
above the factory. Because of the steep slope of the hill and the tall buildings on
the edge of the escarpment the structure had to be so exceedingly tall that it could be
considered most unsightly. Faced with this problem the owners of the factory, with
considerable regard to the feelings of their neighbours and the public at large, decided
to use gas as a fuel and so avoid causing nuisance and offence.
Earlier in the year residents in Defoe Avenue, Kew, had experienced the unpleasant
affects of acidic smuts which were being discharged from the newly erected chimney
serving the Government Buildings at Ruskin Avenue. The attention of the Ministry
of Public; Buildings and Works was drawn to these complaints and an assurance was
given that the Ministry was well aware of the problem, which was under urgent investigation.
After establishing the optimum operating temperatures and adapting the boilers
to burn a light grade fuel oil, the plant, much to the relief and satisfaction of( the
neighbours, has not, since the initial starting up period, emitted any smuts.
A householder close to a hospital was frequently finding heavy deposits of ash
and carbonised flakes of bandages and paper in his yard enclosure. This material was
being discharged over the immediate neighbourhood and originated from an antiquated
and primitive incinerator which was also producing smoke in contravention of the
provisions of the Act relating to smoke control areas. The Hospital Management
Committee, after two informal approaches, failed to take any apparently effective steps
to ease the problem and consequently the attention of the Department of Health and
Social Security had to be drawn to the continuing source of pollution. This resulted in
the installation of a sophisticated gas fired incinerator fitted with an after burner and
it is hoped that this plant will be commissioned in the early part of 1970.
During the year three "Fulgora" stoves were installed to heat a large building in
the Borough. These appliances are designed to burn clean wood waste only and are
subject to "The Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) Order 1959" which
permits their use in smoke control areas. Shortly after fitting a complaint was received
about the smoke being emitted but since the conditions of exemption were being complied
with there was no offence.
Twenty-five complaints were received alleging contravention of smoke control
orders, eighteen of which proved to be valid. Immediate remedial action was taken
after informal approaches to the persons found to be at fault.
Two incinerators were found which had been installed without any proper notification
under Section 3 of the Act but what was more serious was the fact that they
were not capable of being operated continuously without emitting smoke. This was
because of their poor design and it was disturbing to find in both these instances that
the salesman had omitted to inform the buyers that the installation should be notified
to the Council. The purchasers of these incinerators both agreed to discontinue their
use.
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