Coal Mining Risk Assessment Ireland
The historical legacy of coal mining in the UK affects many development proposals within Development High Risk Areas that need planning permission; these often require a Coal Mining Risk Assessment to be prepared and submitted with an application to the Local Planning Authority.
The Development High Risk Areas cover approximately 15% of the defined UK coalfields.
The historical legacy of coal mining in the UK and the impact it can have on development proposals is relatively well understood. However, the quality of the assessments can vary.
The potential impact from other forms of mining is less well appreciated.
What is a Coal Mining Risk Assessment CMRA?
A coal mining risk assessment is a technical, desk based report that identifies any coal mining risks that could impact a development project.
At ESP we have been undertaking mining risk assessment for over 30 years.
These vary from simple preliminary hazard appraisal in the form of our ESP my search report through to desk study based phase 1 mining risk assessments and further intrusive investigations and subsequent treatment to mitigate subsidise risk.
Development High Risk areas are designated due to the presence of hazards that could impact new developments, including:
- Geological formations like fissures and fault lines
- Mine entry points with zones of influence
- Surface-related hazards
- Outcrops of workable coal seams
- Shallow and potential shallow coal mining operations
- Emissions of mine gases
- Activities related to surface (opencast) mining
It’s important to note that without a Coal Mining Risk Assessment (CMRA), a planning application may not be approved and the development could be delayed or restricted.
Earth Science Partnership can assist you to help understand if your development site is in a high-risk area and a CMRA is needed or if the development is exempt.
What Are the Stages of a Coal Mining Risk Assessment?
Typically there are four stages involved with a CMRA, we’ll briefly describe the process below:
Stage 1: Understanding The Site
ESP complete an initial site assessment to establish the practicalities and costs of a site investigation. Depending on the assessment results we will advise whether a desk based or intrusive investigation will be needed.
Stage 2: Desk Based Study
If a desk based study is undertaken we will examine potential sources of ground gas on site or locally. In addition we will collect regulatory information from the Coal Authority including abandonment plans.
Stage 3: Intrusive Investigation
If the desk study concludes that there are site risks then intrusive site investigation will be completed. Liasing with the Coal Authority we will obtain permission to borehole into coal seams which are property of the Coal Authority. This permit enables us to complete borehole investigations and identify shallow coal seams or historic coal mine workings sub-surface.
Stage 4: Follow-up Consultation
Following the extensive investigation involving a desk study and intrustive examinations of the site we will provide you with a risk report and commercial advice allowing you to fully understand the risks involved with the site. If borehole investigations discover coal seams, stabilisation works, using concrete injection, may be applicable to stabilise the ground.
The Role of The Coal Authority in a CMRA
The Coal Authority is a statutory consultee on planning applications for developments within the defined coal mining areas. This is due to their specific responsibilities to manage the coal mining legacy.
The Coal Authority has provided all 179 coalfield Local Planning Authorities in England, Scotland and Wales specific areas of concern.
Specific Development High Risk Areas across the UK including Wales, England and Scotland – areas where the potential land instability and other safety risks associated with former coal mining activities are likely to be greatest.
They include areas of known or suspected shallow coal mining, recorded mine entries and areas of former surface mining.
It should be appreciated that there was no statutory requirement to maintain colliery records until the 1870’s so, particularly in the older coalfields such as West Wales, records are poor.
Development High-Risk Areas cover approximately 15% of the defined UK coalfields.
About ESP UK Coal Mining Risk Assessment Services
We can help you overcome planning objections based on coal mining risk and satisfy the requirements for Coal Mining Risk Assessment.
Our qualified staff are experienced at providing Coal Mining Risk Assessments within the coalfields of England, Wales and Scotland for various residential, commercial and industrial sites, for example this site in Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire and this site near Swansea.
Please get in touch to discuss how we can help overcome specific challenges.
A Preliminary Hazard Appraisal can be obtained using the ESP MySite report here: ESP MySite Report
Our comprehensive Coal Mining Risk Assessments comprise a desk review (geological and historical data, Coal Authority records, and local/regional records), site walkover and reporting.
Examples of Our Coal Mining Risk Assessments
We have an excellent track record in discharging planning conditions and this is often achieved without the need for intrusive investigation.
In particular, we have a strong understanding of errors inherent within Coal Authority records, which we have been able to demonstrate no risk, where the records suggest one exists.
Our assessments are undertaken in general accordance with BS5930:1999 Code of practice for site investigations, BS EN 1997-1:2004 & BS EN 1997-2:2007 Eurocode 7: Geotechnical Design and CIRIA SP32.
Should coal mine workings be suspected or proved, exploration and/or treatment for small and large developments need not be onerous. We have successfully and efficiently helped many schemes through to development.
We are very experienced in the assessment of sites across the UK from individual houses to regional scale developments.
Client Testimonials
Take a look at a few of our excellent client reviews below. Click here to read more on Google.
“Having used the services of Earth Science Partnership on two previous occasions, we had no reservations about employing them for a third time. They are very professional and produce excellent detailed reports on what they are able to do. They are prepared to listen to everything you require and would highly recommend them.”
Roberta M.
“ESP undertook some thorough CMRA (Coal Mining Risk Assessment) works for our site. They showed a surprising level of knowledge into the historical mining methods and establishment of mining sites. Prompt and in-depth reporting and great communication, would definitely recommend.”
Josh P.
“ESP have done some excellent GI works for me and produced some excellent in depth reports for our client (Network Rail)”
Oliver S.
Author: Matthew Eynon, Director
I am a UK Registered Ground Engineering Specialist and Chartered Engineering & Environmental Geologist with significant experience in Site Hazard Assessment, Remediation, Design, and Implementation across the Geoenvironmental and Geotechnical sectors in the UK and abroad.
I often work in multi-disciplinary teams advising other engineering and design professionals on the implications of ground hazards.
My work involves undertaking design, planning, management, and reporting of ground investigations, including investigations for new developments, and many bespoke studies including the assessment of hydrogeological settings, materials for earthworks, the impact of abandoned mine workings, remediation and stability assessment of soil and rock slopes/landslides, most notably the Pantteg Landslide in the Swansea Valley for which I have guided and presented assessments to Local Authority officers and the general public.
Page Last Updated: 25th September 2024