Environment
Coal mining searches
Much of the Wirral, Merseyside, Lancashire and North Wales sits in a coal mining referral area. Where it does, the Law Society expects a mining search.
What it is
What this search covers
The CON29M is the official Coal Authority report. It answers whether the property is within the likely zone of influence of past, present or planned underground coal workings, whether there are mine entries — shafts and adits — at or near the property, and whether there is any history of subsidence damage claims.
It also confirms whether the Coal Authority has received a damage notice, whether the property is in an area of surface hazard, and whether any withdrawal of support or opencast notice applies.
If the address falls in a referral area and no mining search is carried out, that is a difficult position to defend if a problem later emerges.
Included in the report
- Past, present and future underground coal working
- Mine entries within 20 metres of the property boundary
- Coal mining geology and seams at shallow depth
- Subsidence damage claims and notices
- Withdrawal of support and opencast coal notices
- Mine gas emissions and surface hazards
- Coal Authority planning consultation zones
At a glance
| Turnaround | Varies by property, authority and provider. We give you a realistic timescale when you order — and we work to beat it. |
|---|---|
| Format | Official Coal Authority CON29M report, or a combined mining and ground stability product |
| Who orders it | Any property within a coal mining referral area, and any property where mining is suspected |
| Category | Environment |
Why it matters
What goes wrong without it
A mine entry within 20 metres is a lending issue
Where a shaft or adit sits at or very near the property, lenders may require further investigation or refuse to lend. It is far better to know at the outset.
Referral areas are wider than people expect
Coal referral areas cover much of the North West including parts of the Wirral, St Helens, Knowsley, Wrexham and Flintshire. A property with no visible mining connection can still sit squarely within one.
Questions
Coal Mining Searches — your questions
How do I know whether a property is in a mining referral area?
Send us the address. We will confirm whether it falls within a referral area at no charge before you order anything.
What if the report shows a mine entry?
The usual next step is a Coal Authority interpretive report or a specialist assessment, which puts the entry in context. Many turn out to be historically recorded, treated and of no practical consequence — but that has to be established, not assumed.
Does the CON29M cover other kinds of mining?
No. Tin, limestone, salt, clay, china clay and metalliferous mining are not covered. A ground stability or non-coal mining report handles those.
Need this search on a property today?
Send us the address. We will tell you what it needs, what it costs and how long it will take.
Or call 0151 652 4184 — telephone support seven days a week