STL are delighted to start the New Year by offering a new search from Terrafirma – TerraSearch® Coal Extra, a Con29M-compliant coal mining report, with additional non-coal mining hazard alerts. This search meets all the requirements set by the UK Law Society for Conveyancer due diligence. It is supported by Terrafirma’s comprehensive terms and conditions, which provide £10 million indemnity per report. It is backed by £50,000 Coal and Brine Search Insurance and Terrafirma’s comprehensive terms and conditions, which provide £10 million indemnity per report.
With more than 30 significant mining-related collapses reported across the UK over the past twelve months, conveyancers and homebuyers need to be aware of the importance of carrying out due diligence on all ground stability risks when purchasing a new property.
According to Richard Page, the former Minister for Small Business, Industry and Energy,
‘The Coal Authority’s database records some 150,000 coal mine shafts and mine entrances, and it is estimated that as many again are unrecorded. There are probably an equal number of entrances that are not connected with coal mining.’
Where minerals are presently being mined, or have been mined in the past, there may be a risk to existing property and to the future development of property on that site. The risk here lies in the comment ‘mined in the past’; given Richard Page’s comment above it is estimated only 1 in 3 mineshafts are recorded. To ensure the owner continues to enjoy their home, they need to be aware of past mining activity and planned potential mineral extraction, even though this may not be readily apparent from planning proposals. It is necessary to make mining search enquiries even when there are no obvious signs of mines, or mining history in the area. When mines are closed, they may leave little or no residual evidence on the surface, but can still cause major problems for land and property owners.
TerraSearch® Coal Extra uses data provided by the Coal Authority, however it also features additional benefits when compared to the CON29M:
- Terrafirma’s own coal hazard dataset, flagging many additional coal mines not captured by The Coal Authority
- Hazard alert for 55 additional mining hazards including limestone, clay, chalk, gypsum, tin, and hydrocarbons
- Study of past, present and planned coal mining
- An expert analysis and interpretation of the data by a Terrafirma geologist, to provide a professional risk assessment that you and the homebuyer can rely upon.
Tom Backhouse, Terrafirma’s MD commented ‘Mining is a specialist area of expertise and relying solely on data and regional knowledge is not enough – the data needs professional interpretation so that householders are armed with the best advice which they can action accordingly. The TerraSearch® Coal Extra search is designed by geologists to provide reliable mining risk assessments, with clear outcomes and next steps, to property professionals.’
‘This search, given it is the same price as the CON29M, offers incredible value for money. It is Con29M-compliant, and provides a professional interpretation of both Coal Authority Data and Terrafirma’s own proprietary coal mining datasets. This is a real added value search and should form part of any standard set of property enquires.’ concludes Alan Thorogood, STL’s CEO.
Join the ‘The Hidden Legacy of Coal Extraction’ on Tue 7 Feb to understand more.
To discuss TerraSearch® Coal Extra contact your Account Manager or the STL Helpdesk:
E: helpdesk@stlgroup.co.uk
T: 01483715355
This article was submitted to be published by STL as part of their advertising agreement with Today’s Conveyancer. The views expressed in this article are those of the submitter and not those of Today’s Conveyancer.
