1) From the eighteenth century coal-owners were granted rights which related to stacking coal and pit waste and opening up ways through fields where no such liberty had previously existed. Provision was made lest ‘damage’ be done to a tenant’s land.
The following document has to do with such an incident: 1755 Due to John Bentley for Damage by him sustained on Account of the said Coalpits … by John Beatson of Cottingley Hall. Two independent arbitrators were asked to view two Closes … the Low Intake and Thornhill Head and to estimate the Damage done … by Coalpit ways. The sum they decided on was Ł15 4s 0d which took account of the Rent at Assessment, Plowings and Coggings, Sowing with Wheat, Manure, Loam and Lime. However, the concern for damage that might be done to farm land goes back to the earliest years of coal-mining
1597 Compensation 20s for every acre of the premises diggid, broken upp, defacyd, trodden, Beeston.