In Coalville, a property survey carries an extra layer of relevance because much of the town sits on or near the former Leicestershire coalfield. Ground-stability and property surveys here typically combine a standard building assessment with attention to mining legacy, made ground and the housing stock left by the colliery era. The two strands matter equally: the condition of the building above, and the behaviour of the ground beneath it.
How Coalville's mining history affects what a survey looks at
Coal was worked across this part of north-west Leicestershire for generations, and the town grew around pits such as Snibston and Whitwick. That history means a surveyor inspecting a property here will often consider whether shallow workings, shafts or backfilled ground lie nearby. These features do not automatically cause problems, but they change the questions worth asking.
A surveyor will usually look at the property in the context of its surroundings — the age of the streets, the proximity to old colliery sites, and any visible signs that the ground has moved. Local knowledge of where workings ran helps interpret what is seen on site.
Recognising signs of subsidence and ground movement
In Coalville, a property survey carries an extra layer of relevance because much of the town sits on or near the former Leicestershire coalfield.
Mining subsidence is the gradual sinking or shifting of the surface caused by old underground workings collapsing or compacting. Not every crack points to it, but certain patterns are worth noting. A surveyor and an owner should pay attention to:
- Diagonal cracks wider at the top than the bottom, especially around door and window openings.
- Doors and windows that stick or no longer close squarely.
- Sloping floors or visible tilt in a structure.
- Gaps opening between extensions and the main house, or along skirting.
Many cracks have ordinary causes such as thermal movement or minor settlement. The surveyor's task is to distinguish those from movement that suggests a deeper ground issue needing further investigation.
Reclaimed and made ground on former industrial plots
Some newer housing and commercial development in Coalville stands on land reclaimed after pits and tips closed. "Made ground" means soil that has been placed or disturbed by people rather than laid down naturally — it can include colliery spoil, ash and demolition material. Such ground may settle unevenly or hold contaminants.
On these plots a surveyor may flag the need for ground investigation reports, details of how foundations were designed, and any remediation carried out during redevelopment. Buyers of homes on former industrial land often find these records were produced at the planning stage and can be requested.
Common defects in ex-colliery terraces
Coalville retains rows of terraced housing built for mineworkers, much of it now well over a century old. These homes were solidly constructed but show defects typical of their age and method. A survey commonly identifies:
- Solid walls with no cavity, affecting damp resistance and insulation.
- Rising or penetrating damp where original or failed damp-proof courses no longer work.
- Aged roof coverings, slipped slates and worn lead flashings.
- Older lime mortar that has eroded or been patched with unsuitable cement.
- Shallow foundations more sensitive to ground movement than modern ones.
None of these is unusual for the type, but together they shape repair priorities and influence how seriously any ground concern should be taken.
When a coal mining report belongs with the survey
A coal mining report is a search that draws on records held by the Coal Authority. It sets out whether the property is within an area of past, present or possible future coal working, and notes shafts, reported subsidence claims and other hazards.
For most Coalville properties this report sits naturally alongside a building survey, and it is commonly ordered during a conveyancing transaction. Where it raises a concern, a surveyor may recommend a more detailed mining risk assessment before any decision is made.
Last reviewed: June 2026