Mark Harrison Planning Liaison Manager East Midlands Councils CPD – ‘Specialisms in Planning’ 23 February 2012 Unstable Land and the Planning Process Mark Harrison Planning Liaison Manager

The Coal Authority & Coal Mining Context Public body - sponsored by DECC Licensing coal mining operations Providing coal mining related information Managing the historic legacy of coal mining 7 million properties lie within the coalfields, and 1.5 million of those on shallow coal workings 171,000 recorded mine entries Coalfields span 179 Local Planning Authorities in England, Scotland & Wales Planning Applications: 175,000 / year within the coalfields Estimate 35,000 / year shallow coal

Coal Mining Legacy Shallow underground coal mine workings Mine entries (shafts and adits) Geological faults, fissures and breaklines Surface mining Mine Gas Issues

East Midlands Region Coal mining legacy: Local Planning Authority Number of Mine Entries NE Derbyshire DC 2,480 Chesterfield BC 2,301 Amber Valley BC 2,173 Broxtowe BC 1,566 Peak District NPA 1,149 High Peak BC 899 NW Leicestershire DC 898 Erewash BC 734 Bolsover DC 702 South Derbyshire DC 469 Ashfield DC 385 Nottingham CC 192 Derbyshire Dales DC 112 Rushcliffe BC 30 Bassetlaw DC 18 Newark and Sherwood DC 15 Hinckley and Bosworth BC Gedling BC 9 Mansfield DC 6 Melton BC 2

Background to New Approach Managing coal mining legacy Public safety Damage to land and property Statutory consultee: Development plans and planning applications PPG14: Development on Unstable Land + NPPF

The Coal Authority Records Risk Based Approach (1) The Coal Authority Records “Coal Mining Development Referral Area Plans” provided to all coalfield LPAs: High Risk contains known and recorded public safety risks (approx. 15% of overall coalfield) Low Risk contains coal workings at depth with no known or recorded public safety risks (approx. 85% of overall coalfield)

Risk Based Approach (2) Coal Mining Development Referral Area Extracts © Crown copyright and database right 2011. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey licence number 100020315.

Risk Based Approach (3) Within the Referral Areas (High Risk area) Non-householder development Coal Mining Risk Assessment Consultation with The Coal Authority IS required Householder development Specific Informative to applicant on Decision Notice Consultation with The Coal Authority is NOT required Outside Referral Area (Low Risk area) All development Standing Advice attached to Decision Notice

Coal Mining Risk Assessment Four elements to a Coal Mining Risk Assessment: Up-to-date mining/geological information for the site Identify the risks posed by mining to proposed development Set out mitigation measures to manage or reduce risks Is Coal Authority permission required? Must be prepared by a ‘competent body’ (PPG14 definition) To accompany full/outline planning applications for non-householder development Can form part of an Environmental Statement

The influence of Coal Mining Risk Assessments on development Land at Portobello Road, Chester-le-Street – Planning application to Gateshead Council (February 2011)

Contact Details Surface Hazards 24-Hour Emergency Service: 01623 646333 Planning General Enquiries: 01623 637 119 Planning Website: www.coal.gov.uk/services/planning Planning Email: planningconsultation@coal.gov.uk