Change of Use, Manchester Street, Oldham OL9

Case Study Reference: CS12-12-06

Planning Authority: Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

Planning Reference: https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200351/planning/1866/search_for_an_application and https://planningpa.oldham.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage

Synopsis:

As the proposed development site was in an area where coal mining legacies may impact on ground stability a Coal Mining Risk Assessment was required to support the application for the erection of a dwelling.

As part of the assessment a Coal Authority report was procured which indicated that the site was in an area where coal may be close or at the surface, this was confirmed by the review of the large scale geological maps as well as the Coal Authority plans for Oldham.

A number of BGS boreholes were available for the area around the site, the sections sheets indicated that coal may be present within 30m of the surface.

Data provided by the Coal Authority confirmed that the site was in an area where coal is close to or at the surface and there may be shallow worked seams.

 

Given the potential risks it was proposed that either further intrusive works were required or that the design of the building took into account the potential of surface instability resulting from worked seams.

The report was submitted alongside the application to support the application and to demonstrate the development was feasible. As the application was granted the recommendations were accepted by the Coal Authority and they removed their objection to the development.