Coal Mining Report - Any Opinions?

dreamypuma

We're in the process of purchasing a property on a newish development established in 2009.

We've just had the mining report back that the property is in a "Likely zone of influence from workings on 2 seams of coal at 40 to 50m depth" These were last worked in 1890.

It goes on to mention that the coal authority have not received a damage notice or claim for the property of property within 50m radius since Oct 1994.

There are in the region of 100 properties on the development, and they very sought after. The property we are looking at show no signs of movement and is immaculate.

Wondered what other peoples view was on the mining report, we've received? Appreciate it is down to ones perception of risk, but any would appreciate any opinions or details of experience in this area.

Marktheshark

Well it shows it was not backfilled if its still active and collapsing in 1994.

davidmcn

Probably all fine. The planning process for any recent development will have included more detailed geotechnical investigations - you can probably see them if you check the papers for the planning application, often they're available on the council's website.

dreamypuma

Thanks, I'm currently looking for planning doc online, in relation to the development. The developer is Taylor Wimpey, so a large national developer.

LEJC

I live in a area where there is historical coal mining...in fact the whole suburb of the town is built on one.


Occaisionally in the 20 years I have lived here you might see a hole in a garden with a coal authority railing around it but its quite rare and I believe the last one made the local news...
Its also my understanding that as part of the searches you can buy an indemnity from the coal authority to cover the costs shouls something happen within the boundry of your property....I believe this is a small one off premium of perhaps no more than £10.


Historic coal mining areas are far more frequent than people imagine,and pop up in quite unlikely places....
I dont even consider the area we live in as a traditional coal area we are many hundreds of miles from what I consider to be a coal face.
Speak with your solicitor if you have any concerns...they are likely to have dealt with many purchases in your area and will be able to advise or at least speak to you regarding any concerns you have...certainly in the area I live I would estimate that the number of properties potentially built on historical mines runs into thousands...

System

Marktheshark wrote: »

Well it shows it was not backfilled if its still active and collapsing in 1994.

That date is more probably the point at which they started keeping records rather than a collapse

the_wheels_have_fallen_of

You can also pay for a slightly more detailed report from the Coal Authority (think its about 20 quid or something) that shows whether there have been any claims for subsidence in the area. This is something that I had to do earlier this year as there had been a claim less than 50m away from the property I was buying and the Lender wouldnt proceed unless I paid for the additional report.

Can let you have the details of who you need to contact if you wish? Luckily, the claim from 1999 wasnt honoured in terms of subsidence (as we live in a coal mining area) but the Lender still pulled their face a bit and they insisted that I let my buildings & contents insurer know (and provided proof) that they had had sight of the additional mining report and that they were happy to still insure on the same risk basis.

Luckily, there were no issues (apart from the faff and extra length of time took) - and I am now due to complete Tuesday 3 March !

maninthestreet

Sounds like it was only a miner problem...

Rambosmum

You may struggle to get buildings insurance, or pay an awful lot for it as most ask if there has ever been movement/ subsidence with a 50m radius of the property, which there has. An easy way to check would be go on a comparison site and check what comes back - pay particular attention to the t&cs as you may find some will insure you but not for movement, so if the worst happens you wouldn't be covered.

the_wheels_have_fallen_of

Rambosmum wrote: »

You may struggle to get buildings insurance, or pay an awful lot for it as most ask if there has ever been movement/ subsidence with a 50m radius of the property, which there has. An easy way to check would be go on a comparison site and check what comes back - pay particular attention to the t&cs as you may find some will insure you but not for movement, so if the worst happens you wouldn't be covered.

In my case, there wasnt movement. If you see my post it says that the original claim from 1999 was unsubstantiated (report from Coal Authority) and was not honoured as movement or subsidence. It has had no impact on quotations for buildings insurance

Cyberman60

I would avoid personally, as your house will be one of the biggest investments in your life which could become unsaleable in a worst case scenario. As it stands, the fact that you even are asking the question should be telling you something !!