At Surveyed By Drone, we specialise in high-precision, high-efficiency surveying for large and complex sites. Our recent project at Chatterley Valley—a 44.6 ha development—demonstrates how drone technology can transform project outcomes for clients like John F Hunt Regeneration Ltd.
Key Points from This Article
- Drone surveys at Chatterley Valley revolutionised site data collection and earthworks analysis.
- Surveyed a 44.6 ha site weekly from June–December 2024, using a DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise RTK and 20+ GCPs.
- Achieved sub-centimetre accuracy, capturing 2,114 images per flight and generating high-res site models.
- Each drone survey took just 1.5 hours—saving days compared to traditional methods.
- Outputs included orthomosaics, point clouds, and volume calculations for detailed project tracking.
- Enhanced safety by keeping surveyors off hazardous ground and out of the way of active machinery.
- Reduced project carbon footprint and delivered major cost efficiencies.
- Find out more about our drone survey services or our collaboration with Lichfield Survey Supplies.
Project Details
- Timeline: June–December 2024, 26 weekly flights
- Drone: DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise RTK
- Survey Area: 446,241 m² (1,440m x 400m)
- Ground Control: 20+ GCPs for sub-centimetre accuracy
- Flight Stats: 25.1 km flown per survey, 1.5 hours per flight, 2,114 images (25.76 GB)
- Image Overlap: 75% side, 80% forward
- GSD: 1.48 cm/pixel
Project Benefits
- Speed: From 45+ hours (traditional) to 1.5 hours per survey
- Safety: Surveyors remain off hazardous ground, away from machinery
- Accuracy: Extensive GCP network + advanced processing = data you can trust
Data Processing & Outputs
- High-Resolution Orthomosaics: Weekly visual updates for stakeholder meetings and planning
- Digital Elevation Models & Point Clouds: Generated in DJI Terra, Pix4D Matic, WebODM, then analysed in Topcon Office for precise earthwork calculations
- Volume Calculations: Site divided into 50m x 50m grids for detailed material movement analysis
Sustainability & Cost Efficiency
Drone surveying at Chatterley Valley reduced vehicle use, field hours, and the project’s carbon footprint—while slashing costs from unnecessary manual rework.