Mine Entry

Strapped

There's a shaft in the garden that opened up - wonder how many others there are that are not on mining maps. Wouldn't risk it myself.

Davesnave

Strapped wrote: »

There's a shaft in the garden that opened up - wonder how many others there are that are not on mining maps. Wouldn't risk it myself.

Surely what you'd do doesn't count. It's what the OP feels is an acceptable risk that matters.

Some people are very risk-averse and walk away as soon as any potential problem is discovered, while others take a more measured view, investigate the issue and make a judgement based on that. They might still walk away, but theirs is the more rational approach.

Here we have a house that has stood for over a century and served many people as a home. The chances are that it will continue to do so, but the ultimate test is probably to see what insurers have to say on the matter.

tbs624

moosepaw wrote: »

Which area are you?, no the coal authority wont do an inspection.

Really?? The vendor can arrange a visit for an update

"Seven million properties lie within Britain’s coalfields and we have records of over 170,000 coal mine shafts. We are carrying out an inspection programme of these mine shafts as part of our public safety strategy........ (my comment - this programme started in 2010, with a plan to cover 300,000 mine shaft inspections. Ask the vendors whether they are aware of any letter about the programme and/or any planned inspection)

1. When will the inspectors come round? If you live in a former mining area and have a mine shaft on your property, you will receive a lterr telling you when our inspectors arew in your area
   To book an appointment, call 0845 762 6848. If you are worried about the condition of a mine shaft or there has been a change in its condition, call our 24-hour emergency line on 01623 646 333.
   

1. Will you be in touch again if the inspector doesn’t find any issues? We will send you a copy of our report and a map showing the recorded position of the mine shaft on your property. We will carry out a follow-up inspection within the next few years.

SourceMy highlighting - so, if the work was done circa 20 years ago ask if the vendors have any more recent paperwork.


OP - google "interpretative reports service" and "coal authority". You could ask the vendor to foot the bill or to meet you halfway on the cost.

Don't simply take the word of any us who post on here ( & can google a mines database) when you are spending a vast amount of money buying a property.

Talk to your own surveyor and solicitor. It is what you are paying them for.

Yorkie1

I suspect that the OP has sorted this out one way or another now, as their posts were 8 months ago (although the extra info is useful for others who might read the thread).

The thread has only been reactivated by a new poster asking their own question.

Mrs_Imp

Just be thankful you didn't buy a house above the Combe Down Stone Mines:
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/environmentandplanning/majordevelopments/combedownstonemines/Pages/default.aspx

Luckily it's all filled in now, but the roof was so thin in places that the engineers could hear the traffic noise while they were under the road :eek:

Werdnal

Or one in Cornwall:

http://www.cornwallconsultants.co.uk/shaft-collapse-gunnislake.html

chris_m

Werdnal wrote: »

Or one in Cornwall:

http://www.cornwallconsultants.co.uk/shaft-collapse-gunnislake.html

Just needs a waterproof lining and they've got one heck of a swimming pool

Strapped

Davesnave wrote: »

Surely what you'd do doesn't count. It's what the OP feels is an acceptable risk that matters.

Errr...no !!!!, Sherlock? :huh:

Davesnave

Mrs_Imp wrote: »

Just be thankful you didn't buy a house above the Combe Down Stone Mines:
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/environmentandplanning/majordevelopments/combedownstonemines/Pages/default.aspx

Luckily it's all filled in now, but the roof was so thin in places that the engineers could hear the traffic noise while they were under the road :eek:

Like the people who can hear the underground trains passing under their houses in London?

I'm sure the Combe Down mines were very worrying for those most affected, but had you bought in Combe Down in, say, 1999, your kids would have had a damn good education at the local schools and you'd have made a great killing on the rise in value since then! Even at the height of the furore over this, Combe down houses weren't cheap.

In other words, many Combe Down residents are probably thankful they did buy!

tbs624

Yorkie1 wrote: »

I suspect that the OP has sorted this out one way or another now, as their posts were 8 months ago (although the extra info is useful for others who might read the thread).

The thread has only been reactivated by a new poster asking their own question.

Thanks Yorkie1 - I failed to check the date of the OP! As you say, the info can hopefully still help others