Coal mining risk assessments
We provide Coal Mining Risk Assessments and expert advice when undertaking new development on the coalfield.
Whether you are constructing a single dwelling or a large strategic site, we will provide the right advice and support to take your development forward.
What is a Coal Mining Risk Assessment?
Our Coal Mining Risk Assessments are technical, interpretive reports that identify site-specific coal mining risks that could affect your development.
We review a range of information sources to assess the potential risks on your site and provide recommendations to show how the site can be made safe for development.
When do you need a Coal Mining Risk Assessment?
When submitting a planning application for a development on the coalfield, it is important to consider whether your site falls within the Coal Authority defined Development High Risk Area with respect to coal mining.
For most developments in the Development High Risk Area of the coalfield, your Local Planning Authority will require a Coal Mining Risk Assessment to support your planning application.
Find out if your development type could be exempt from requiring a Coal Mining Risk Assessment.
What is the Development High Risk Area?
The coalfield Development High Risk Area includes the following features which could affect a new development:
- recorded and probable shallow coal mine workings
- mine entries and their potential zones of influence
- mine gas
- geological features, such as fissures and faults
- surface hazards
- surface (opencast) mining
View our interactive map viewer to check if your site falls within the Coal Authority Development High Risk Area.
What can you expect from a Coal Authority Coal Mining Risk Assessment?
Every Coal Mining Risk Assessment is produced by an experienced member of our specialist in-house team. Each assessment uses our detailed knowledge of coal mining information sources to consider a range of site specific coal mining risks. Your Coal Mining Risk Assessment will also include a Coal Authority Consultants Report as standard.
Your report can be submitted to your Local Planning Authority to support your planning application and the recommendations made within the report will outline what next steps may be required to address any mining legacy risks.
Why choose the Coal Authority?
We have more than 25 years’ experience of protecting people and the environment on the coalfield. We understand the range of mining features that can pose a risk to ground stability for new developments and we will work with you to identify the best way forward for your site.
To find out more, please contact us on 0345 762 6848 or email cmra@coal.gov.uk.