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Coal mining risk assessment

If you are planning a new development in a Coal Authority 'Development High Risk Area', you may be required to submit a Coal Mining Risk Assessment (CMRA) in support of your planning application unless the proposal is for any of the following:

  • householder development
  • change of use only
  • variation of conditions (unless the variation of condition relates directly to a CMRA)
  • advertisement applications​

Further examples of applications that don’t need to provide a CMRA can be found on GOV.UK's Coal Authority webpage.

The coal mining risk assessment report must be based on the most recent coal mining and geological information.

The risk assessment should:

  • identify risks to a development
  • end by identifying how coal mining issues have influenced a development
  • identify other relief, treatment and remedy measures that are needed to make sure a development is not subject to land instability
  • other safety risks linked to old coal mining activities

More information

Coal risk assessments are based on the following policy guidelines: