Terrain analysis LiDAR UK

Clip terrain to a UK site and catchment, then derive slope and overland flow paths in GIS. Compare listed sources, access requirements and evidence for terrain analysis lidar uk.

3 sources · For drainage engineers, GIS analysts, civils engineers, flood consultants, hydrologists, ecologists, planners. Enrichment describes potential applications; review source evidence and limitations.

Processing tools do not supply survey data; retain CRS, resolution and conditioning choices with outputs.

Discover sources with MCP

Add this server to an HTTP-compatible MCP client, then call get_source to inspect the first source. The tool call is shown separately from the client configuration. Review upstream access details before requesting data.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "terramcp": {
      "url": "https://terramcp.earth/mcp"
    }
  }
}

// After connecting, call this discovery tool:
{
  "name": "get_source",
  "arguments": {
    "slug": "defra-data-services-platform-lidar"
  }
}

Listed sources

dataset

70/100Currency A

Defra Data Services Platform LiDAR ↗

Environment Agency survey portal for LiDAR terrain and surface models and other survey data.

What's in it

Data offered llm-inferred: LiDAR terrain model · LiDAR surface model · other survey data
Coverage llm-inferred: England

Useful for

Use cases llm-inferred: Flood risk assessment: ground-level inputs for hydraulic model topography · Drainage strategy: surface levels for catchment and overland flow delineation · Civils design: existing ground model for earthworks and levels
Audience llm-inferred: flood consultants · drainage engineers · hydrologists · GIS analysts · civils engineers

Limitations

Constraints llm-inferred: No docs retrieved, so coverage, formats, resolution and access terms are unverified · Auth and licence not recorded in entry

terrain flood gis

Englandhealthy

plugin

63/100Currency A

QGIS MCP plugin ↗

QGIS socket plugin paired with the qgis-mcp server for layers, processing, rendering and layouts.

What's in it

Data offered docs-verified: layer management · feature editing · processing algorithms · map rendering · styling · layout and atlas authoring · cross-layer SQL · plugin development · system management
Formats docs-verified: MCP stdio · MCP streamable HTTP
Access llm-inferred: Local install only: needs desktop QGIS 3.28+ with the QGIS MCP plugin server started, plus uv. Licence GPL-2.0 (ENTRY metadata). Optional shared secret via QGIS_MCP_TOKEN; no API key or OAuth.

Useful for

Use cases llm-inferred: Automate loading site, catchment and boundary layers, checking CRS and zooming to extents for flood or drainage report figures · Run zonal statistics and raster sampling on DEM or rainfall rasters to prepare drainage strategy inputs · Apply styled, labelled layers and layouts to produce BNG habitat baseline maps
Audience llm-inferred: GIS analysts · flood consultants · drainage engineers · ecologists · planners

Limitations

Constraints docs-verified: Needs a running QGIS desktop session with the plugin's server started; it is not a standalone data source · Plugin (inside QGIS) and MCP server (outside QGIS) must be kept in version sync · uvx caches the server archive, so updates need a forced refresh; auto-update requires network at launch

gis terrain

Globalunreachable

data api

65/100Currency C

OpenTopography API ↗

global DEM for bbox

What's in it

Data offered llm-inferred: global DEM
Coverage llm-inferred: Global
Access llm-inferred: API key; licence per dataset

Useful for

Use cases llm-inferred: Catchment terrain and slope analysis for an FRA study area from a bbox DEM · Topographic levels for drainage strategy and earthworks setting-out inputs · Terrain base layer for GIS site analysis
Audience llm-inferred: GIS analysts · hydrologists · drainage engineers · civils engineers

Limitations

Constraints llm-inferred: Licence varies by dataset · API key required · No docs retrieved, so capabilities and coverage are unverified

gis terrain

Globalpage reachable

Frequently asked questions

Which listed sources support Terrain analysis LiDAR UK?

Start with Defra Data Services Platform LiDAR, QGIS MCP plugin, OpenTopography API. Clip terrain to a UK site and catchment, then derive slope and overland flow paths in GIS.

What should I check before using these sources for terrain analysis lidar uk?

Processing tools do not supply survey data; retain CRS, resolution and conditioning choices with outputs.

How do I inspect Defra Data Services Platform LiDAR through MCP?

Connect an MCP client to https://terramcp.earth/mcp and call get_source with slug defra-data-services-platform-lidar. Review its provenance, access requirements and limitations before contacting the upstream service. Discovery does not make every listed source directly executable through the router.

Are these sources free and independently verified?

Access and licence terms belong to each upstream provider; some products require registration or payment. Open each listing for evidence, health status and enrichment provenance. A wrapper and its underlying API can refer to the same dataset and are not independent observations.