East Midlands CouncilsEast Midlands Councils

CPD – ‘Specialisms in Planning’CPD – ‘Specialisms in Planning’

23 February 201223 February 2012

Unstable Land and the Planning ProcessUnstable Land and the Planning Process

Mark Harrison

Planning Liaison Manager

Public body - sponsored by DECCLicensing coal mining operationsProviding 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

The Coal Authority &The Coal Authority &Coal Mining Context Coal Mining Context

Coal Mining Legacy

Shallow underground coal mine workings

Mine Gas Issues

Mine entries(shafts and adits)

Geological faults, fissures and breaklines

Surface mining

East Midlands RegionEast 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 15

Gedling BC 9

Mansfield DC 6

Melton BC 2

Background to New ApproachBackground to New Approach

Managing coal mining legacyPublic safetyDamage to land and property

Statutory consultee: Development plans and planning applications

PPG14: Development on Unstable Land + NPPF

Risk Based Approach (1)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)

Risk Based Approach (2)Risk Based Approach (2)

Coal Mining Development Referral Area Extracts

© Crown copyright and database right 2011. All rights reserved.

Ordnance Survey licence number 100020315.

Risk Based Approach (3)Risk Based Approach (3)

Within the Referral Areas (High Risk area)Non-householder development

Coal Mining Risk AssessmentConsultation with The Coal Authority IS required

Householder developmentSpecific Informative to applicant on Decision NoticeConsultation with The Coal Authority is NOT required

Outside Referral Area (Low Risk area)All development

Standing Advice attached to Decision NoticeConsultation with The Coal Authority is NOT required

Coal Mining Risk AssessmentCoal 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

The influence of Coal Mining Risk The influence of Coal Mining Risk Assessments on developmentAssessments on development

Land at Portobello Road, Chester-le-Street – Planning application to Gateshead Council

(February 2011)

Contact DetailsContact Details

Surface Hazards 24-Hour Emergency Service: 01623 646333

Planning General Enquiries: 01623 637 119

Planning Website: www.coal.gov.uk/services/planning

Planning Email: planningconsultation@coal.gov.uk