The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995

B.    Permitted development

Development by a licensee of the British Coal Corporation, in a mine started before 1st July 1948, consisting of—

(a)the winning and working underground of coal or coal-related minerals in a designated seam area; or

(b)the carrying out of development underground which is required in order to gain access to and work coal or coal-related minerals in a designated seam area.