The Coal Authority is a statutory consultee on planning applications in coalfield areas. We have recently been re-assessing the public safety risks associated with coal and coal workings.
We have piloted a more proactive and consistent risk based approach to the Development Management processes (the new name for Development Control).
From 2010, the Coal Authority will be introducing this new risk based approach, on a phased basis, to all coalfield Local Planning Authorities in England, Scotland and Wales.
How Does The New Risk Based Process Work?
We have defined specific ‘Coal Mining Development Referral Areas’. These are areas, based upon Coal Authority records, where the potential land stability and other safety risks associated with former coal mining activities are likely to be greatest. They include, for example, areas of known or suspected shallow coal mining, recorded mine entries and areas of former surface mining. This new information is being provided to coalfield Local Planning Authorities on a phased basis.
For all new development proposals within Coal Mining Development Referral Areas that require planning permission, except householder developments, the Coal Authority will expect a Coal Mining Risk Assessment to be prepared and submitted with the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.
Householder development (extensions, alterations etc) will not require a Coal Mining Risk Assessment for a Planning Application, Local Planning Authorities will issue an informative note for this type of development, however this information maybe required for a subsequent Building Control Application.
What Happens Until The New Risk Based Process Is In Place?
The Coal Authority currently utilises Standing Advice for planning applications in coalfield areas, this has circulated to all coalfield Local Planning Authorities.
For all areas in which the new process has not yet been implemented, the Standing Advice should continue to be inserted into all coalfield planning decision notices. This is intended to give applicants/developers general information about the potential hazards relating to coal mining and where further information can be found. It is the responsibility of applicants/developers to be satisfied that their proposed development will not be adversely affected by any coal related issues. If they are in any doubt they should seek specialist advice or clarification / further information from the Coal Authority.
Local Planning Authorities should also continue to send planning applications to work minerals or non-minerals applications that are supported by an Environmental Impact Assessment to the Coal Authority for specific comments.