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109
diesel operated crane. During the year the firm removed its
main activities to another site outside the borough and the
nuisance has thus been abated.
The most troublesome complaint during the year was noise
from a furniture manufacturing factory situate within a Smoke
Control Area in South Woodford. The firm installed a special
furnace for burning wood waste, and the furnace included a fan
which produced a penetrating whine when in operation. The
furnace was installed without notice to the local authority and
a conviction was secured in subsequent proceedings.
The noise from the fan coupled with emissions of dark
smoke caused a flood of complaints, and people living in the
neighbourhood formed a residents committee.
Public Health Inspectors carried out observations from
7.30 a.m. until 5 p.m. for a fortnight from a number of points
around the factory, and the G.L.C. Scientific Branch assisted
by taking and recording measurements.
In proceedings which followed an abatement order was
made against the firm and convictions secured for a number of
smoke emissions. The co-operation of the G.L.C. Scientific
Branch and evidence given by a member of its staff undoubtedly
played a vital part in the proceedings.
It now appears likely that the firm will move from its
present premises to an industrial estate outside the borough.
Launderettes have sprung up like mushrooms in recent
years, and provide an extremely useful service for husband and
wife working full or part-time, and for elderly people. Unfortunately
they are sometimes sited in shop premises with living
accommodation over.
In one particular case this situation gave rise to a large
number of complaints from the first floor tenant, but although
observations were made the noise from the spin driers was not
considered to be a nuisance.
There appears to be a gap in the legislation which will
allow a launderette to be established In such a position, without
adequate sound insulation of the celling of the launderette
being carried out.
A number of Technical Colleges have run courses on
"Noise" during the year, and several Public Health Inspectors
have attended those held at Tottenham and St. Albans.
41 complaints were received in 1967 of which 11 related to