Overview
Terrain Surveys were commissioned to carry out a comprehensive Measured Building Survey of a property located on Market Hill in Huntingdon, a prominent historic area at the heart of the town. Market Hill sits within a conservation-sensitive setting characterised by period architecture and intricate building façades, where refurbishment and redevelopment projects require highly accurate survey information to support planning, design and heritage considerations.
The client required a full suite of survey outputs including a Topographical Survey, floor plans, elevations, elevated sections and — critically — detailed roof information. Capturing accurate roof data was particularly important due to the complexity of the structure and the need to inform future design proposals, despite limited physical access to the roof areas.
Survey
Terrain Surveys deployed a coordinated approach combining traditional measured building techniques with advanced technology to capture the full extent of the property. Given the restricted roof access, our team utilised drone technology to survey the roof safely and efficiently. This allowed us to capture comprehensive data across all roof elements, including ridge lines, eaves, parapet walls and level changes, ensuring the production of a complete and accurate roof plan without the need for intrusive access methods.
Internally and externally, a Leica 3D laser scanner was used to capture high-density point cloud data across the building. This enabled precise recording of structural geometry, window and door fenestration, and the extensive decorative masonry features present throughout the property, including cornices, mouldings and panelling. The elevated sections required a particularly high level of detail, which was achieved through the combination of scanning and targeted measurements.
The captured data was processed by Terrain Surveys’ in-house CAD technicians to produce a coordinated set of drawings covering all required elements. The use of laser scanning also ensured the dataset remains available for future extraction should additional elevations or sections be needed as the project progresses.
Results
The client received a complete and highly detailed drawing package covering the building and surrounding site, delivered within the agreed project timeframe. The inclusion of accurate roof plans — made possible through drone deployment — provided critical information that would otherwise have been difficult to obtain, enabling the design team to move forward with confidence.
The detailed elevations and elevated sections captured the architectural character of the building, ensuring that design proposals can respect and respond to the property’s historic features. By combining drone survey methods with 3D laser scanning, Terrain Surveys delivered a future-proof dataset that supports both immediate project needs and potential subsequent design stages.
The survey outputs now provide a reliable foundation for planning, refurbishment and development works at this prominent Market Hill property, reducing uncertainty and enabling informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
