Coal mining search

Ogriv

A surprising development in my purchase of a one-bed flat in East Kent. I've been recommended to order a coal mining search. I had no idea that had gone on in this part of the country.

Fingers crossed I won't find the building is subsiding. It's in a popular residential street near to the railway station and the adjoining tracks.

ReadingTim

Not really - googling "coal mining east kent" produces this wikipedia entry as the first result.

Also, railways were generally build to move goods, rather than people. Heavy good especially. Like coal.

Ogriv

Great what Google/Wiki can tell you, isn't it?

sultanabran

I posted this in another thread a while ago. The coal authority have an online map you can use to look for areas affected by coal mines and which will likely require a coal authority report for conveyancing.

http://mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/coalauthority/home.html

ReadingTim

Ogriv wrote: »

Great what Google/Wiki can tell you, isn't it?

A veritable mine of information. So to speak.

Ogriv

Cheers - I can see that the property's in the 'Coal Consultation Area' but none of the other criteria seem to be relevant.
Looks like it's low risk, rather than no risk.
The abandoned collieries are nowhere nearby.

Meanwhile the local searches have indicated a moderate-high subsidence risk. Could be connected. I'll see what the RICS Homebuyer Report person has concluded - waiting to hear. It's just a flat, but if I was worried I could stretch to a structural engineer.

AlexMac

I'd have thought that with a name like "Orgriv" you'd have known all about coal mining:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Orgreave

Ogriv

Ha! It's actually 'Virgo' backwards

Linton

You neednt be too worried about the flat being in an ex-mining area, large areas of the country are in the same position. The mines themselves may be some distance away but the underground workings can stretch for miles. The Coal Authority covers all subsidence claims resulting from the mining so insurance isnt a problem. The Kent coalfield closed more than 25 years ago and in practice the risk of subsidence is low as the gound generally stabilises soon after mining ceases.

Ogriv

Thanks Linton
It's good that the Coal Authority would cover any issues.

Still awaiting my Homebuyer Report results.
But am feeling optimistic as the valuation survey said that any movement was likely to be long-standing and not progressive.
So fingers crossed all is well.