A GIANT ex-mining site which is set to be developed in the coming years has been signed off as safe by experts - despite local residents registering concerns that ’tonnes’ of unexploded material could be dormant underground in shallow coal seams.
Referred to as MU1 in Barnsley Council’s local plan, communities such as Pogmoor, Higham and Barugh Green neighbour it along the M1 corridor and it is the subject of a 1,500-home planning application lodged by Strata Homes and Sterling Capitol, who make up the Barnsley West Consortium (BWC).
Safety claims made by mine manager Edward Raven that gelignite ‘pills’ - which he said was an explosive regularly used in blasting techniques at a pit known as Craven II - were of serious concern to the proposed development’s future have been quashed this week.
A council statement said the potential risk has been evaluated by all parties involved - including the Coal Authority and South Yorkshire Mining Advisory Service - and it’s been deemed safe to continue should planning permission be granted.
However, the Chronicle can reveal that future site investigation work will have to be done throughout its development to mitigate any potential issues if the go-ahead is given next year.
“Using explosives in mining is a highly regulated process and must adhere to strict safety and environmental standards,” the statement said.
“The Coal Authority and South Yorkshire Mining Advisory Service are experts in the mining field as they hold factual data and can review site-specific results uncovered by intrusive investigations.
“The Coal Authority have no record of explosives such as gelignite - which cannot explode without being electrically charged by a detonator - being used or discarded at Craven II and there is no mention of explosives being used on the abandonment plan.
“Notwithstanding this, given the scale of development, further intrusive investigations will continue to be carried out over several years as the scheme potentially comes to fruition.
“We note that there are personal recollections of blasting taking place so therefore planning officers, and the developer, have considered this further.
“Gelignite is one of the cheapest forms of explosives - it burns slowly and cannot explode without being electrically charged by a detonator, with the purpose being that it could be stored safely.
“If there was any remnant of this material left buried under the site it would pose no risk without an electrically-charged detonator being attached.
“Therefore it is not deemed to be a risk in developing the site.”
A public consultation phase ended on Monday following an extension, giving residents more time to assess multiple documents relating to the 122-hectare site.
It is now expected that the local authority’s planning board will meet at some point in 2024 to mull over the plans, which are being spearheaded by ex-Sunderland Football Club owner Sir Bob Murray.
Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, added: “We would like to thank Mr Raven for sharing his memories and to reassure him that everything he has shared has been considered carefully.
“The risks he raises have been evaluated and all parties, including the Coal Authority, are satisfied that it is safe to proceed with the potential development of this site.
“However, further intrusive investigations will continue to be carried out over the years as the scheme potentially comes to fruition.”
