National Trust Heritage Site, Cornwall

Intersect Surveys was commissioned to carry out detailed survey works at a National Trust heritage site in Cornwall.

Scope of Services:

Intersect Surveys was commissioned to carry out detailed survey works at a National Trust heritage site in Cornwall, supporting early design development and conservation planning. Given the site's historical significance and natural setting, our survey approach was designed to be minimally invasive while still providing the high-accuracy data needed for informed design decisions.

Our scope of services included:

  • Topographical Survey

  • Underground Utility Survey

  • Desktop Utility Record Search (STATS)

All outputs were delivered in 2D AutoCAD and PDF format, with coordinate systems tied to the Ordnance Survey National Grid via RTK GNSS equipment.

 
 
Topographical Survey
 

Our Topographical Survey captured both natural and man-made features across the survey area with high precision. This included:

  • Historic structures and buildings, with elevations to ridges, parapets, and eaves, where visible from public access points.

  • Stone walls, pathways, and boundary features—critical for conservation and landscaping works.

  • Natural terrain features such as embankments, ditches, and gradients, with levels taken at 10m spacing and at all visible breaks in slope.

  • Trees and vegetation, with any tree over 150mm trunk diameter surveyed for canopy spread, height, and location to support arboricultural planning.

Great care was taken to work non-intrusively, with surveyors adhering to access restrictions and preserving the integrity of sensitive areas throughout.

Underground Utility Survey
 

We conducted a comprehensive underground utility mapping survey within the designated site boundary using a combination of:

  • Electromagnetic Locators (EML) for detecting live and metallic services.

  • Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for identifying non-metallic pipes and buried features.

Utilities were marked on the ground using eco-friendly paint and then transferred to the topographical base plan to produce a layered digital drawing. Due to the historical nature of the site, records were often incomplete, so the GPR survey was critical in locating undocumented services.

All findings were cross-verified against available statutory record information to provide a more complete underground picture, reducing risk for future groundwork.

 

Desktop Record Search

To support our on-site findings, we carried out a Desktop Utility Record Search, collecting all known statutory utility records from relevant providers. This search:

  • Included utilities such as water, gas, electric, BT/Openreach, and fibre networks.

  • Provided a consolidated pack for use by planners and consultants during the feasibility and early design stages.

  • Helped establish known constraints and highlighted potential areas requiring further investigation.

This information was especially valuable due to the age of the site, where undocumented infrastructure is not uncommon.

 

"All buildings would be shown (nearest flank walls only) with levels to ridges & eaves, subject to lines-of-sight from site & the public highway"

Surveying Data and Accuracy

To support our on-site findings, we carried out a Desktop Utility Record Search, collecting all known statutory utility records from relevant providers. This search:

  • Included utilities such as water, gas, electric, BT/Openreach, and fibre networks.

  • Provided a consolidated pack for use by planners and consultants during the feasibility and early design stages.

  • Helped establish known constraints and highlighted potential areas requiring further investigation.

This information was especially valuable due to the age of the site, where undocumented infrastructure is not uncommon.

A reliable and efficient company

”We've been working with Intersect for several years and have always found them to be reliable, efficient and good value for money. I can honestly recommend them."

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Peter F , Commercial Director

Excellent customer care

”The whole process was very smooth from start to finish, with excellent communication and customer care. We'll definitely be working with Intersect in the future."

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Henry P , Director

Efficient and knowledgeable

”The in-depth knowledge which Intersect Surveys have in their field is second to none. They're efficient, helpful and in my opinion, excellent value. "

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Robert M , Site Manager

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