Structural Precautions Covenant

Structural precautions covenants relate to the approval of plans and specifications required in accordance with the provisions of covenants in favour of the National Coal Board and British Coal Corporation imposed for the express or implicit purpose of minimising damage caused by subsidence.

The benefit of such covenants has now passed to the Coal Authority by virtue of the Coal Industry Act 1994.

The Authority no longer approves plans or building specifications but will issue a structural precautions letter which deems prior approval to have been granted provided the building works conform to the requirements of the Building Regulations 1991 or such regulations as are in force.

This structural precautions letter can be acquired from the Coal Authority without charge by applying to the Head of Estates and Environmental Projects at the  Coal Authority´s headquarters .

If the development has perviously been carried out without authorisation you must request our standard letter of indemnity in lieu of granting retrospective consent for which The Coal Authority has endorsed a fee of £100 inclusive of VAT (normal conditions) or £175 inclusive of VAT (expedited within a 2 day period) per letter. This fee is required before a letter will be issued. Please make cheques payable to the Coal Authority for the attention of Head of Estates and Environmental Projects at the above address with the relevant fee to enable the request to be processed.

It is not possible for the Coal Authority to provide copies of approvals previously given by the National Coal Board and British Coal. The Authority is, however, prepared to give a letter of indemnity in lieu of granting retrospective consent subject to the standard charges above.

It is possible to provide certified copies of prior approval and standard letters in lieu of granting retrospective consent previously given by the Coal Authority, subject to a standard charge of £50 including VAT. These copy letters may also be expedited to a two working day turnaround for a charge of £85 including VAT.

Please provide a copy of the conveyance containing the provisions and state the nature of the works and the land on which the works will take place, following which your request will be processed.