Sector reference · Updated 7 August 2026
Drone surveys for agriculture & estates
Faster, smarter aerial surveys for farms and rural estates — drainage mapping, field boundary surveys, habitat assessment and ELM scheme support across Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria and North Wales.
Short answer
Image Surveys Limited (CAA Operator ID GBR-OP-K3GKP2JCP5DJ) works with farmers, agricultural consultants, land agents and estate managers who need accurate land data without the time and cost of traditional ground survey. We cover farms of 50 to 5,000 acres across Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria, North Wales and Merseyside.
LiDAR surveys penetrate vegetation to reveal drainage problems invisible from field level. Orthomosaic mapping delivers field boundary, land-use and condition records at a resolution satellite imagery cannot match. Outputs are formatted for RPA, Rural Payments Agency and agri-environment scheme applications. A traditional three-day ground survey is typically replaced by a single drone visit.
Who we work with
- Arable farmers
- Livestock and mixed farms
- Rural estates and land agents
- Farm managers and business managers
- Agricultural consultants
- Drainage and land engineers
- Rural chartered surveyors
Problems we solve
- Identifying drainage problems and areas of waterlogging not visible from field level
- Boundary surveys and land registration disputes requiring accurate measured evidence
- Land condition assessments before purchase, sale or tenancy renewal
- Planning consent applications for agricultural buildings and farm diversification projects
- Producing accurate acreage, field-boundary and land-use records for RPA and subsidy compliance
- Monitoring earthworks, reservoir banks and drainage structures over time
- Environmental and habitat reporting for rewilding, ELM and SFI scheme applications
Case study
Lancashire Pennines
Upland Farm Drainage Survey
A 300-acre hill farm in Lancashire had experienced recurring waterlogging in two large fields for several seasons. Traditional investigation was hampered by the terrain and the time required to survey on foot. Image Surveys deployed a LiDAR-equipped drone and completed the full survey in under an hour.
Frequently asked questions
Can drone surveys support ELM or SFI scheme applications?
Yes. Orthomosaic mapping and LiDAR data can provide the habitat, land-use and condition evidence that agricultural consultants need for Environmental Land Management and Sustainable Farming Incentive applications. We produce outputs in formats compatible with standard agricultural GIS and mapping platforms.
How does LiDAR help with farm drainage?
LiDAR pulses penetrate vegetation and map the true ground surface, revealing subtle variations in level that indicate drainage catchments, failed drain lines and areas of compaction. This data is often far more accurate and complete than any ground-based survey, and is available within days rather than weeks.
Do you cover North Wales and Cumbria?
Yes. Our coverage extends through Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria, North Wales and parts of Yorkshire. We discuss any travel cost transparently as part of the quotation for sites beyond our standard 50-mile travel radius from Southport.
Related pages
Survey your land
Tell us the farm or estate address and what you need to know. We'll provide a fixed written price.