Cornwall’s geography makes it one of the most technically demanding counties in the UK for survey work. A peninsula bordered by coast on three sides, with former mining landscapes, granite moorland, and a coastline stretching over 400 miles, the county presents challenges that require both the right equipment and genuine regional experience.
Merrett Survey provides professional topographical surveys across the whole of Cornwall, from Truro, Falmouth, and Penzance in the west to Bodmin, Launceston, and Newquay further east, as well as border areas extending into Devon. With over 40 years of geospatial experience across the South West and beyond, we have the expertise and technology to deliver accurate, project-ready survey data wherever your site is located.
Former mining landscapes – A significant portion of Cornwall sits within or adjacent to the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. Former mine workings, shafts, adits, and spoil heaps are common across mid and west Cornwall, and accurately mapping these features is a critical part of any pre-development survey in affected areas. Our ground-based and aerial survey methods allow us to capture detailed data across these complex sites safely and efficiently.
Coastal erosion and flood risk – Cornwall’s extensive coastline is subject to ongoing erosion, and flood risk assessments for coastal and low-lying sites require highly accurate elevation data. Our LiDAR and drone-based surveying methods are particularly well-suited to capturing detailed coastal topography across cliff faces, beaches, and estuaries, and we provide EA-compliant outputs for use in flood risk and environmental planning.
Renewable energy development – Cornwall has one of the highest concentrations of renewable energy projects in the South West, including wind and solar installations across rural and coastal sites. Accurate topographical data is fundamental to site feasibility work, and our surveys are regularly used to support planning applications and environmental impact studies for energy developers working across the county.
Heritage and conservation – Cornwall has a high number of listed buildings, scheduled monuments, and conservation areas, particularly in its historic towns and coastal settlements. Our measured building surveys and laser scanning services provide the accuracy required for heritage planning applications and conservation work.
We tailor every survey to the specific demands of your site and project. Our land surveys capture all the data your project requires, including:
Survey data is delivered in the formats that best suit your workflow and project requirements:
Our team has worked extensively across Cornwall’s range of construction, infrastructure, heritage, and engineering projects. We understand the planning sensitivities and site constraints that are particular to the county, and we use advanced GPS, drone technology, ground-based laser scanning, and remote sensing equipment to produce reliable, high-accuracy data regardless of site complexity or location.
No site is too remote. From the Penwith Peninsula to the Devon border, get in touch with Merrett Survey today to discuss your project or request a bespoke quotation.
Yes. We regularly work within or adjacent to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Heritage Coast designations, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest across Cornwall. Our team is experienced in working within these constraints and can provide survey data that supports planning applications in protected areas.
Yes. We have considerable experience of surveying across former mining landscapes in Cornwall and understand the specific challenges these sites present. We use a combination of ground-based and aerial methods to capture accurate data safely across sites where ground conditions may be complex. Take a look at our sister site, Mining Surveys, for more information.
Most surveys can be completed within a day or two on site, depending on size and accessibility. Deliverables such as CAD drawings or digital terrain models are then processed and issued within agreed timeframes.
