Our MD Dan Berriman recently attended the Totally Technical Conference, hosted by the LABC, where he presented just this.
“I questioned whether Mining Subsidence was a developing problem, one often taking developers, planners, builders and homeowners by surprise because it is not a required tickbox for planning permission. This is despite the South West being home to a staggering network of historic mines, having once been the world’s most important producer of tin and copper,.
As the regions leading mundic and ground stability experts, we are frequently called upon to predict, find and fix mining hazards across the region. On a weekly basis we are also called out to inspect subsidence on private property, with many homeowners completely unaware of what lies beneath their property until the ground quite literally disappears beneath their feet!
With an increasing need and pressure to build more homes, certain hurdles have been removed for developers which has only made this issue worse. It is very much a developing problem. This is mainly due to a variable knowledge of local hazards, a reliance on limited public data and the increased pressure to approve.
And whilst current planning legislation does stipulate the need to consider any potential risks from land instability, this is bundled in with contaminated land which whilst related, is a separate issue.
There are also numerous common assumptions often made throughout the process too such as ‘building control will pick any problems up’, or ‘contaminated land surveys will cover this’ or ‘if we protect the building we should be fine’, however none of these ring true.
With many historic mining hazards obscured by hundreds of years of cultivation, land use and ground movement; or where they exist beneath shallow rock cover, they are often not exposed in foundation trenches.
Our advice? It’s so simple. Please search before you start!
Our FREE online MineScanner tool will show which properties in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset require a mining search which can then be purchased for less than £75.
This is one tenth of the cost of a Phase 1 Contaminated Land Assessment, which is a planning requirement for many developers. Spending this nominal amount means any potential mining risks will be captured early so they can be addressed early on, leaving the property safe.
So please, don’t assume Planning Policies will pick up any mining issues, use free data to research the problem in your area and don’t be afraid to speak to specialists if you are ever in doubt. Trust us, a desktop mining report will always cost less than any remedial works!
Keen to learn more? We offer a range of CPD and presentations on this issue plus many more. Say hello on email – training@cornwallminingconsultants.co.uk and find out how we can help you.”