A Specialist Service

For solicitors, surveyors, lenders and others involved in the domestic property market, the Company offers an expedited service. Although every effort is made to return standard reports within seven working days of receiving a request, many reports for properties or sites in areas with a more complicated past history will take a few days longer to allow for cross checking.

In an emergency an express report can be provided within 24 hours.

Enhanced Reports and Coalmining Risk Assessments often take a week or two longer as more extensive research is needed to complete them.

The Company is therefore able to offer a reporting service covering all aspects of extractive industry. Specific features which will be of interest to our clients include clay pits, stone quarries and mines, both for iron and non ferrous ores and ochre workings.

The Company can, in addition, provide information on past non-extractive operations which are likely to have a bearing on current property and development sites. The principal areas of concern will be sub-surface structures and the issue of contaminated land. Past industries such as extractive and manufacturing metallurgy, brickmaking and pottery production and extraction or refining of chemicals have often left a legacy which is not always apparent.

Local Knowledge and Expertise

John Cornwell worked for many years with the National Coal Board and was responsible for recording and investigating abandoned coal mines in the South Wales and Bristol Coalfields. In addition to his knowledge of coal mining, he was active and well respected in the broader field of industrial archaeology. He has published several books on the Kingswood, South Gloucestershire and Somerset Coalfields.

Ian Greenfield was trained by and worked with Mr Cornwell for several years. Like Mr Cornwell had, Mr Greenfield has a long-term interest in Industrial Archaeology, with a particular interest in coal mining. He, with others, established the South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group, and has carried out documentary and physical investigations throughout the coalfield

Professional Indemnity

The Company carries professional indemnity cover, particulars of which can be supplied on request.

Download our printable Coal Map here

Typical Section Through a Coalfield

The diagram below is a typical imaginary section through a coalfield showing various coal seams, geological folding, a fault, weathering and redepositing of upper layers, crop workings, bell pits, water levels, worked seams, shafts, horse whims and engine houses.