Explanatory note

These Regulations concern the provision of information relating to proposed underground coal mining and to claims in connection with coal mining subsidence damage.

As regards underground coal mining operations, the Regulations supplement the obligations under section 46 of the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991 for persons who are responsible for subsidence damage to give notice of the risk of any such damage from underground mining to owners or occupiers whose land might be affected. The Regulations require that certain information accompany such notices. They also provide for the issuing of a fresh notice within three months of any change in the identity of the person responsible for subsidence damage, including cases where the British Coal Corporation ceases to be, or the Coal Authority becomes, that person.

The Regulations also require persons with responsibility for subsidence damage to provide certain information and documents on request to the owners or occupiers of land falling within the area for which they are responsible. In addition, they oblige persons with responsibility to inform the Coal Authority of requests relating to subsidence damage which are made by other persons, and to inform such other persons that their request has been referred to the Coal Authority.