PLANS which could see up to nine new homes built in a Worcestershire village could face "safety and stability issues" due to historic coal-mining on-site.
An application for permission in principle has been submitted to Malvern Hills District Council for up to nine homes on land off the A443 in Abberley.
A response to the application was submitted by the Coal Authority, which said there was a "fundamental concern" over the suitability of the site.
This, it said, was because of the site's historic usage for unrecorded coal mining.
Its representation to the council said: "I have reviewed the site location plans, the proposals and the supporting information submitted and available to view on the LPA website.
"I can confirm that the site falls within the defined Development High Risk Area and that a Coal Mining Risk Assessment, or equivalent report, is required to be submitted to support this application.
"The Coal Authority records indicate that the application site lies in an area of probable historic unrecorded shallow coal mining.
"This could affect the safety and stability for the proposed development."
Because of this, the Coal Authority recommended a risk assessment linked to these issues to be completed before planning permission is given.
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Under the plans, between five and nine new homes would be built on the land, which is located between the B4202 and A443 highways in Abberley.
The site sits adjacent to a recently-built housing development of 25 houses to the west, which were approved for construction back in 2019.
READ MORE: More details emerge over plans for 46 new homes near Worcester
The application is not a firm plan at this stage, rather an enquiry to see if the council agrees with the idea of development before a specific plan is agreed.
Permission in principle is an alternative route of obtaining planning permission for small housing developments.
This process separates the issues concerning the principle of the proposed development, from the technical details of the proposal.
The plans can be seen in full online at plan.malvernhills.gov.uk/Planning/Display/M/22/01440/PIP
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