Historic coal mining can leave behind unseen hazards beneath development sites. These hazards may affect the structural safety of new buildings, influence foundation design, or pose long-term environmental risks. Planning authorities require all potential mining-related risks to be understood before development can proceed.
Common risks associated with former mining areas include:
A Coal Mining Risk Assessment is required for any development located within a Coal Authority Development High Risk Area. These areas cover large sections of the Midlands, Yorkshire, North-East England, Wales, and Scotland.
Planning applications within these areas will not be validated without an appropriate mining risk assessment.
You will typically need a CMRA for:
Each CMRA is carried out by experienced geotechnical specialists and follows the Coal Authority’s official guidance.
We combine geological interpretation, mining records, and site-specific analysis to deliver a clear, structured assessment.
Our CMRA typically includes:
The Coal Authority Mining Report provides key historical data about mining activity beneath or near the site. We interpret these findings to understand potential implications for your development.
Information typically reviewed includes:
The geological setting and mining history of the site influence stability and ground conditions. We assess all relevant records to understand how the land may respond to development.
This includes analysis of:
After reviewing datasets and geological information, we produce a clear, structured risk assessment outlining potential hazards and how they may affect your proposed development.
Hazards we evaluate include:
Where risks cannot be ruled out, we provide clear recommendations to support planning approval and safe design. These measures ensure the site is properly understood before construction begins.
Typical recommendations may include:
Your final report is produced in a format fully compliant with Coal Authority and local planning requirements. It provides a clear, evidence-based assessment designed to aid planning officers and highlight any necessary next steps.
Your CMRA report includes:
Phase Ground Investigation delivers accurate, efficient, and fully compliant CMRAs for developments of every scale.
Our team has extensive experience working within former mining regions, allowing us to identify risks quickly and provide practical, cost-effective solutions.
Our strengths include: