Large areas of the UK lie on coal deposits. Demand for coal increased dramatically at the start of the Industrial Revolution reaching a peak in the early 1900’s when approximately 250 million tonnes of coal was being extracted per annum. Coal production has now dropped off to approximately 30 million tonnes per annum. This strong heritage of coal production has resulted in a huge impact both on the surface and subsurface landscape of the UK. Approximately 7.7 million properties in the UK lie above areas of historic coal mining activities of which 2 million are thought to be at risk from former coal workings. In some circumstances this can lead to:
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Mine shaft collapse and damage to land and property |
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Spontaneous combustion |
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Polluted water |
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Subsidence damage |
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Death (6 fatalities since 1994 have been linked to past mining activities) |
It is prudent to check whether a property has been undermined for coal and if a Coal Authority Mining Report is required or not. The green light report will tell you if a property is located in an area where the Coal Authority recommends that a coal mining report is required. This is something you can then advise your solicitor to obtain or purchase directly from the coal authority.
Are you a homebuyer?
A Coal Authority mining report identifies the environmental and stability risk arising from any past, current and future underground and surface coal mining activity that affects a property. This includes subsidence claims, reported hazards and mine gas emissions.
Are you a developer?
Ground stability reports provide detailed information from the Coal Authority identifies the environmental and stability risk arising from any past, current or proposed underground and surface coal mining activity that affects a property. This includes subsidence claims, mineshafts, reported hazard incidents and mine gas emissions.
RADON
What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which is derived from minute quantities of Uranium which occur naturally in rocks and soils through the UK. Variations in radon occur on a very small scale, with levels often changing from property to property.
Radon is an odourless, colourless and tasteless gas which outdoors presents no risk to human health. However, radon can seep into buildings from the ground where its concentration in the air can increase to unsafe levels.
Exposure to higher concentrations of Radon is associated with lung cancer causing an estimated 1000-2000 deaths per year in England and Wales. The Health Protection Agency estimate that 100,000 homes throughout the UK are subject to higher concentration of Radon gas.
The GreenLight Report
The Greenlight report provides information on whether a property is located in a radon affected area, an estimate as to the probability of an individual property in England and Wales being at or above the action level for radon. The greenlight report also offers ‘next steps’ advice should a property be located in a radon affected area. In addition the GreenLight Report will tell you if you need to acquire a Coal Mining Report from the Coal Authority.
