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CONTROL OF CARAVAN SITES
Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act, 1960

Gypsies and Other Itinerants
The only permanent trouble spot during the year was the site on the Colnbrook By-Pass
formerly used as an experimental road by the Road Research Laboratory. It is regrettable that the
disgraceful condition of this site had to be mentioned in the last Annual Report and similar conditions
still exist today. The land is in Crown ownership and representations to the Department of the
Environment have so far failed to bring about its discontinuance.
UXBRIDGE CENTRAL REDEVELOPMENT AREA
Prior to the commencement of the redevelopment of Uxbridge the area of phase 1 and 2 of
block 1 contained many public health problems, i.e. small businesses operating in semi-derelict
property, a common lodging house of extreme age and poor construction and many areas of behind
the scene desolation and rubbish accumulation with their resultant health hazards. The clearance of
such areas allows a new broom approach to be made by various departments of the local authority.
In this situation the opportunity presents itself to set standards in all matters of public health and
general environment at one time without the hindrances of adapting requirements to suit a committed
situation.
Regrettably the aims of various departments of the local authority in such a situation sometimes
conflict with a resultant necessity to compromise to some degree. In addition the interests of an
architectural designer concerned with a large development of this kind are naturally guided by an
overall aspect or conception to which the subsequent detail designer is committed by the early
stages of the development. It is at this stage that most of the public health inspector's work is involved
e.g. in the detailed fitting of shops, restaurants, refuse disposal facilities, matters of safety etc.
During 1970, 1971 and 1972 with the advancement of these stages of the work in phase 1,
considerable effort had to be expended in consultations with proposed occupiers, architects and
members of other departments of the Council, on examination and comment on plans and proposals.
This has enabled, in many cases, standards to be incorporated from the outset which comply
fully with, or are an improvement on, current legislation.
In addition many problems which have arisen during the planning and construction stages of
phase 1 have provided valuable experience and enabled the department to suggest alternative
methods of overcoming similar problems in phase 2. At the time of reporting many premises in
phase 1 are in occupation and some are nearing completion and/or occupied in phase 2. These
reflect some measure of success in the objects striven for during the period under review. Progress in
phase 2 of block 1 is now well in hand and will continue to demand the constant involvement of the
public health staff with the aim of securing the best possible standards in an area which should
become one of the show pieces of the Borough for many years to come.
The movement of the open market to the new site has now taken place with its own particular
problems relating to the Food Hygiene (Market Stalls and Delivery Vehicles) Regulations and a
high standard is being set for the food traders so affected. The effect of the move has been amongst
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