FEATURE THE COAL AUTHORITY
shallow working – whatever that challenge might be.”
ground and site investigations, using up-to-date records, executing appropriate methods for drilling, and hitting on a solid working base to build on.” Coalfield opportunities Despite the talk of risks, building in or near a coalfield can be good for developers and builders. Firstly, construction in
A scarcity of land The likelihood of developing properties within a coalfield depends a lot on where in the country building is taking place. Cities such as Bristol, large parts of the Midlands and stretches of land between Glasgow and Edinburgh are well known coal mining areas. Nevertheless, the scarcity of developable land in the UK means an increasing number of developers and builders are moving beyond the areas in which they have historically operated. The trouble is they often arrive unaware of the region’s coal mining history, Simpson explains. “Some of the biggest upfront investment from the likes of FMB members – before we even get to breaking ground – is to start a full survey,” Simpson urges. “Whilst the Coal Authority has records to indicate levels of risk, it’s down to the developer to prove or disprove the risk. If there is risk, they will need to take steps to remediate it.” Remediation usually requires engineering solutions to ensure the ground above coal is sufficiently stable before building. “We will work with developers to find a remedy and if a particular developer doesn’t have the expertise to design engineering solutions, we can provide services,” Simpson says. “But the developer covers the cost, which needs to be factored into the piece of land they’re looking at.” The Coal Authority can assist developers and builders with guidance on how to respond to coalfield data. For example, the public body can advise on necessary changes to the development’s design, such as converting an area into a green space, reducing the number of properties on a site or altering access roads. “We can work with developers to minimise the impact on their purse and their development timelines, whilst alleviating some of the mining-related risks,” Simpson says. Importantly, construction methods do not change as a result of proximity to coalfields; however, the preparatory work before building takes place does. “It’s about ensuring the ground is safe before building begins, carrying out relevant
Andrew Simpson
such areas is common, with countless projects completed successfully for multiple decades. Secondly, and perhaps more notable given the current environmental challenges and high fuel prices, is the low- cost, energy-efficient heating capabilities of water in the old mines. “We’re doing a massive amount of work to use the heat from the water in the mine to provide heating solutions to new- build developments,” Simpson says. “This offers developers a brilliant opportunity to improve green credentials and reduce their carbon footprint on the site – especially helpful as gas will no longer be installed on new build developments from next year.” When the coal mines were abandoned, the quality of underground water had a chance to recover. Given the depth of the mines and the temperatures underground, the water is a viable heat source. Here’s where the Coal Authority steps in by: ● pumping the water up to the surface; ● removing energy from the water through heat exchangers; and
● supplying energy via heat networks to provide central heating and hot water to new builds. Awareness is key For any developer and builder – before worrying about whether they have the requisite skill-set to manage challenges related to coalfields – Simpson says to focus on honing their awareness. Not being aware of coal under a piece of land could present a major challenge to developers. Fortunately, the coalfield is well documented. Simpson says: “We know where the coalfield is. As long
Hard coal facts
130,000 properties lie within 20 metres of at least one mine entry
11% of the UK is occupied by coalfield
10,292 planning application responses last year
173,500 Recorded mine entries
800 surface hazards reported and subsidence claims assessed last year
9M properties lie within Britain’s coalfield
1,700 permits issued in 2023
Source: The Coal Authority’s presentation to the FMB
Master Builder 32
www.fmb.org.uk
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