Almost all of the Falkirk Council area has a history of coal mining. The Coal Authority has used its records to divide the coalfield into two kinds of area; high risk and low risk. We have to consult the Coal Authority on planning applications for some kinds of building work inside the high risk areas.
If we need to consult the Coal Authority because your application is in a high risk area, you will need to submit a Coal Mining Risk Assessment which will show us how you will make sure that your proposed development will be safe and stable. We then ask the Coal Authority to review the Assessment and provide bespoke advice.
These types of application do not need a Coal Mining Risk Assessment (CMRA):
| Type of application |
CMRA required?
(Yes / No) |
Justification |
| Reserved Matters / Reserved Details Approval of Matters Specified in Conditions |
No |
Assumes the issue has been dealt with as a matter of principle (outline stage) – if not a CMRA will be required |
| Householder Development |
No |
No spatial influence over development location |
| Change of Use |
No |
Assumes it is a pure change of use with no other built development proposed |
| Variation or Removal of Condition |
No |
Unless the condition relates to land stability |
| Heritage Consents (Listed Building or Conservation Areas) |
No |
No ground works |
| Advertisement Consent |
No |
No significant ground works |
| Lawful Development Certificates |
No |
No ground works |
| Prior Notification (any type) |
No |
|
| Hazardous Substances Consent |
No |
Limited scope of influence |
| Tree or Hedgerow Works (TPO or in Conservation Area) |
No |
|
These kinds of development do not need a Coal Mining Risk Assessment (CMRA):
| Nature of development |
Typical recent examples |
CMRA required? (Yes / No) |
Justification |
| Change of use (land or buildings) – where no other built development is proposed
|
Agriculture to garden; office to residential |
No |
No significant ground works |
| Temporary structures with no ground works |
Portacabins; sheds; storage units; storage bins; decking; smoking shelters
|
No |
No significant ground works |
| Means of enclosure |
Fences, walls |
No |
No significant ground works |
| Street type furniture |
Signage; public art, lighting/CCTV columns, cycle racks, benches |
No |
No significant ground works |
| Alterations to existing non-residential buildings that create no new floor space
|
new shop frontages, new windows or door openings, signage |
No |
No significant ground works |
| Non-commercial private/domestic stables |
No |
|
No significant ground works, no public uses |
You will need to get a suitably qualified person to prepare a Coal Mining Risk Assessment Report. He/she should have:
- a recognised relevant qualification
- experience in dealing with ground stability and mining legacy related issues
- membership with a relevant professional organisation
For developers, the Coal Authority provides information on coal mining risk assessments on the GOV.UK website.
- Downloads
- Falkirk Development Risk Map
PDF file, 3.5 MB