Coal Mining Searches

Wherever coal is mined, or has been mined in the past, there may be a risk to property and the development of property. Coal mining has been widespread in England and Wales, and despite a decline in this once-national industry, millions of tonnes are still being produced every year. If conveyancers and other property professionals are to advise their clients effectively, they need access to accurate and property-specific information. The Government has set up the Coal Authority to hold this information in a national coal mining database and to provide mining reports. The Authority has worked with the Association of British Insurers, the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the Law Society of England and Wales, and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors to produce a search suitable for the needs of conveyancers and property professionals. This book contains details of that search, the form, the supporting guidance, and a directory of "affected areas". The fifth edition of this book continues to help conveyancers and property professionals to determine whether a Coal Mining Search is required.
It is updated with all the currently "affected areas", new guidance on conducting searches online, and contains a copy of the new form CON 29M (2003).