Coal mining was abundant in England and Wales from the 19thCentury onwards as the Industrial Revolution gathered pace; today the legacy of this mining activity is recorded at over 172,000 coal mine shafts across the UK.
Often invisible to the eye, historic mine workings can run long distances underground. When these tunnels and shafts collapse, subsidence occurs, often in the form of a sinkhole, which can cause major problems for land or property owners.
If a property is considered to be in an area that has a potential risk from past or present mining activity, lenders may require further investigation before making the decision to lend.