1. 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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. Contact Details
Surface Hazards 24-Hour Emergency Service:
Planning General Enquiries:
Planning Website:
Planning