Structural precautions covenants relate to the approval of plans and specifications required in accordance with the provisions of covenants in favour of the National Coal Board and British Coal Corporation imposed for the express or implicit purpose of minimising damage caused by subsidence. The benefit of such covenants has now passed to the Coal Authority by virtue of the Coal Industry Act 1994.
The Authority no longer approves plans or building specifications but will issue a structural precautions letter which deems prior approval to have been granted, provided the building works conform to the requirements of the Building Regulations 2000 or such regulations in force.
If the development has previously been carried out without authorisation you must request our standard letter of indemnity in lieu of granting retrospective consent for which a fee is required before a letter will be issued.
It is not possible for the Coal Authority to provide copies of approvals previously given by the National Coal Board and British Coal Corporation. The Authority is however, prepared to give a letter of indemnity in lieu of granting retrospective consent, subject to a standard charge.
It is possible to provide certified copies of prior approval and standard letters in lieu of granting retrospective consent previously given by The Coal Authority, subject to a standard charge.
Structural precautions letters can be acquired, by the vendor(s), from the Coal Authority by applying to the Head of Property at the Coal Authority’s headquarters. Any associated cheques should be made payable to The Coal Authority.
Please provide a copy of the conveyance containing the provisions or the relevant extracts from the Registered Title and state the nature of the works and the land on which the works will take place