Mineral Extraction Search Report

Transcription

1 Conclusion: HIGH RISK Date: 01/10/2015 Our Reference: TM.MS Client/Reference: FKGRKW2LL.001 Terrafirma Mine Searches Ltd Pure Offices, Pastures Avenue, St Georges, BS22 7SB T: E: W: Searches UK Ltd Unit 2, Gemini Business Centre, Old Shoreham Road, Hove, BN3 7BD T: E: W: Dear Sir/Madam, Mineral Extraction Search Report 23a Clayfield, Yate, BS37 7FG Further to a request from, dated, which is in response to a potential risk identified by a Certificate of Mining Risk Assessment, Terrafirma Mine Searches Ltd have carried out a Phase 2 Mineral Extraction Search on the above property and are able to report as follows:- Introduction Our desk-top searches, which are based on Terrafirma s bespoke Geographical Information System (GIS), are an assessment of the risk to the property from past, present and planned mineral extraction from over 35 minerals across England and Wales. These minerals include; hydrocarbons and coal, clay, stone (limestone, Bath/Free Stone, sandstone, chalk/flint, chert, ironstone, hearthstone, Kentish Ragstone, Firestone, silica sand, hone/whetstone, slate, igneous stone); Metallic minerals (Ferrous iron ore, ochre, umber, manganese and Non Ferrous lead, zinc, tin, copper, tungsten, silver and gold); Evaporates (Gypsum, rock salt, anhydrite, alabaster) and rare minerals (China & Ball clay, Fuller s Earth, celestine, barite, peat, fluorspar, potash, ganister and calcite). The attached search plan is used to highlight any potential risks identified and this report and plan is relevant only to the property or land under consideration, shown as outlined/coloured green on the attached search plan. Scope of Works This is an interpretative report providing a concise evaluation of any identified potential risk factors, an expert opinion on the risk to the property from mining and mineral extraction related subsidence, before providing an accurate, clear and expert conclusion. In the event that any potentially adverse mineral extraction features are identified, that could present a risk of

2 subsidence to the property and/or land, professional recommendations for further action will be provided. Potential Risk Factors Geology The property lies on the outcrop of the Mercia Mudstone Group. In this locality, the mineral celestine occurs as nodular deposits in the weathered bedrock up to 20 metres below the surface. Past and Present Mineral Extraction Hydrocarbons: Conclusion: LOW RISK The property is situated within a 14 th round block offered for the potential exploration of hydrocarbon resources by the Oil & Gas Authority (OGA). The property is not situated within a current consultation block and is therefore considered at Low Risk of being impacted by future Hydrocarbon Extraction. Coal: The property is situated east of the Engine Common, an area that was the heart of local coal mining during the 19 th and 20 th centuries. The nearest surface feature is an air shaft situated 600 metres south west of the property and therefore, there is no reason to believe the property is at risk from any associated mining or quarrying features. Sandstone: The property is situated away from the principal sandstone mining districts and therefore, there is no reason to believe the property is at risk from any associated mining or quarrying features. Limestone: The property is situated west of the extensively exploited Carboniferous Limestone and away from the Jurassic Limestone and therefore, there is no reason to believe the property is at risk from any associated mining or quarrying features.

3 Chalk/Flint: The property is situated away from the principal chalk/flint mining districts and therefore, there is no reason to believe the property is at risk from any associated mining or quarrying features. Ferrous Metals: The property is situated away from the principal ferrous metal mining districts and therefore, there is no reason to believe the property is at risk from any associated mining or quarrying features. Non Ferrous Metals: The property is situated away from the principal non- ferrous metal mining districts and therefore, there is no reason to believe the property is at risk from any associated mining or quarrying features. Bath/Free Stone: The property is situated away from the principal Bath Stone mining districts and therefore, there is no reason to believe the property is at risk from any associated mining or quarrying features. Fuller s Earth: The property is situated away from the principal Fuller s Earth mining districts and therefore, there is no reason to believe the property is at risk from any associated mining or quarrying features. Celestine: Conclusion: HIGH RISK The property is situated in the centre of the historically extensive Yate celestine mining district. Celestine or Spar is the main ore for Strontium, used to create red in fireworks and signal flares, and occurs as nodules in the first few metres of weathered Mercia Mudstone bedrock. The property lies in what is known as the Yate Spar Fields which were quarried for celestine from the 1820s to the 1990s. The early edition Ordnance Survey map and local surface mine plans show numerous ponds, pits and quarries in the vicinity of the property, with the nearest recorded feature 15 metres NE of the property boundary.

4 Other: The property is situated away from any other recorded evaporate, stone or rare mineral extraction areas and therefore, there is no reason to believe the property is at risk from any associated mining or quarrying features. Planned Mineral Extraction The property lies within a currently dormant Mineral Planning Permission (MPP) area for the extraction of Celestine, as defined by the BGS Mineral Local Plan for Gloucestershire (2006). Conclusion The available documentary evidence indicates that the property is at a HIGH RISK from potentially adverse mineral extraction features associated with celestine mining and quarrying. Recommendations It is highly recommended that you obtain a Phase 3 Interpretative Mine Search report from Terrafirma Mine Searches Ltd, which can be purchased from Searches UK. The report will provide a detailed history of the celestine workings within the vicinity of the property and an expert opinion will be provided on the subsidence risk to the property from adverse celestine mining features using Terrafirma s unrivalled mine records archive. If a high risk is identified, the Phase 3 report will also provide professional advice on the next steps to ensure your property is protected from the risk of adverse mining features. Limitations Conclusion: MODERATE RISK This Mine Search has been carried out with reference to Terrafirma Mine Searches Ltd bespoke GIS and extensive collection of abandoned mine plans, maps, records and archives in our possession and from this material we have endeavoured to provide as accurate a report as possible. However, taking into account that such records may not be wholly complete or accurate, we cannot accept liability for any inaccuracies or omissions there may be with respect to those records. It should also be realised that totally unrecorded or unindicated workings can exist between known workings and therefore Terrafirma Mine Searches Ltd cannot be held responsible for any settlement or subsidence problems as a result of a property being affected by unrecorded mining features or natural ground cavities. This report is concerned solely with the property searched and should not be used in connection with adjacent properties as only relevant known mining features have been mentioned and any known features that could potentially have a direct influence upon the target property.

5 Other features which may be present in the general area may have been omitted for clarity. The report is based upon the property boundaries as shown on the supplied request plan. This report is confidential to the client and the client s legal advisor and the client s Mortgage lender and as such may be used by them for conveyancing or related purposes. We have no liability toward any person or organisation not party to commissioning this report. This report or any part of it is not permitted to be reproduced, copied, altered or in any other way distributed by any other person or organisation. IMPORTANT CONSUMER PROTECTION INFORMATION This search has been produced by TERRAFIRMA MINE SEARCHES LTD Address: Pure Offices, Pastures Avenue, St Georges, Weston-Super-Mare, BS22 7SB; info@terrafirmaminesearches.co.uk; Telephone: ) which is registered with the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB) as a subscriber to the Search Code. The PCCB independently monitors how registered search firms maintain compliance with the Code. The Search Code: provides protection for homebuyers, sellers, estate agents, conveyancers and mortgage lenders who rely on the information included in property search reports undertaken by subscribers on residential and commercial property within the United Kingdom sets out minimum standards which firms compiling and selling search reports have to meet promotes the best practice and quality standards within the industry for the benefit of consumers and property professionals enables consumers and property professionals to have confidence in firms which subscribe to the code, their products and services. By giving you this information, the search firm is confirming that they keep to the principles of the Code. This provides important protection for you. The Code s core principles (Firms which subscribe to the Search Code will): display the Search Code logo prominently on their search reports act with integrity and carry out work with due skill, care and diligence at all times maintain adequate and appropriate insurance to protect consumers conduct business in an honest, fair and professional manner handle complaints speedily and fairly ensure that products and services comply with industry registration rules and standards and relevant laws monitor their compliance with the Code

6 PLEASE ASK YOUR SEARCH PROVIDER IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THE SEARCH CODE COMPLAINTS If you have a query or complaint about your search, you should raise it directly with the search firm, and if appropriate ask for any complaint to be considered under their formal internal complaints procedure. If you remain dissatisfied with the firm s final response, after your complaint has been formally considered, or if the firm has exceeded the response timescales, you may refer your complaint for consideration under The Property Ombudsman scheme (TPOs). The Ombudsman can award compensation of up to 5,000 to you if he finds that you have suffered actual loss as a result of your search provider failing to keep to the Code. Please note that all queries or complaints regarding your search should be directed to your search provider in the first instance, not to TPOs or to the PCCB. TPOs Contact Details: The Property Ombudsman scheme Milford House Milford Street Salisbury Wiltshire SP1 2BP Tel: Fax: admin@tpos.co.uk You can get more information about the PCCB from or from our website at COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE If you want to make a complaint, we will: Acknowledge it within 5 working days of receipt. Normally deal with it fully and provide a final response, in writing, within 20 working days of receipt. Keep you informed by letter, telephone or , as you prefer, if we need more time. Provide a final response, in writing, at the latest within 40 working days of receipt. Liaise, at your request, with anyone acting formally on your behalf.

7 Complaints should be sent to: Tom Backhouse, Managing Director & Senior Executive, Terrafirma Mine Searches Ltd - Address: Pure Offices, Pastures Avenue, St Georges, Weston-Super-Mare, BS22 7SB; info@terrafirmaminesearches.co.uk; Telephone: ) If you are not satisfied with our final response, or if we exceed the response timescales, you may refer the complaint to The Property Ombudsman scheme (TPOs): Tel: , admin@tpos.co.uk. We will co-operate fully with the Ombudsman during an investigation and comply with his final decision. We trust this report provides the information you require. Please contact us if you have any queries or if we can be of any further assistance. Yours faithfully, On behalf of Terrafirma Mine Searches Ltd Mr T M Backhouse, BSc (Hons), FGS Managing Director

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