Farmer loses cow to mine shafts
What a terrible thing to have to deal with! I wonder how often this happens? While there are serious safety concerns with people walking about the fields, I can’t help but chuckle a bit as I think of a cow simply disappearing into the earth. Here’s hoping the farmer can recoup the losses quickly!
British History 101 
I am a cynic Michael, but my first thought when I saw this was that the farmer was making this up! Let’s examine the facts.
1. The farmer leases the land
2. Someone wants to open up a mine on the land
3. (I assume) that someone is offering to pay the farmer money to buy out his lease.
4. Planning is being sought from the local council for a change in use.
With all these facts, my assumption is that, if the farmer can indicate the land is unsuitable for farming…somehow…then the application for a change in use may succeed, and he will get his money from the developer.
Or am I being far too cynical?