June 09, 2010 -- The GeoInformation® Group, publishers of Cities Revealed and UKMap, recently supplied City of Lincoln Council with an impressive 3D model to help manage future development and preserve the city’s historic heritage.

Lincoln has been identified as an expansion growth point that will expect significant development over the next decade. The Council is responsible for its management and the impact it will have on the surrounding buildings and views, including the cathedral, that dates back to the middle ages.

The Council selected The GeoInformation Group’s cost-effective 3D solution through a rigorous tender process. The solution utilises Cities Revealed’s Building Height data, was created using photogrammetric software and delivered in Google SketchUp. This was overlaid with high-resolution aerial photography to provide a realistic view of the city that can be observed and assessed from any viewpoint.

The 3D model will make analysis of proposed developments easier to visualise when making decisions on planning application, in particular scale, massing and impact on views. It will also increase the efficiency of the overall development management process for public consultation and planning committee meetings.

Adam Partington, City of Lincoln Council’s Townscape Character Projects Manager, comments, “Pressure for development within and around the city will be considerable. As a consequence, the use of this 3D model at the pre-application stage of emerging proposals will reduce both time and money spent on drafting unacceptable plans”.

Using a single model that is flexible and accessible was also a key consideration for the Council. It enables new buildings to easily be added and new views modelled ensuring a consistent and updateable product for staff to use.

In conjunction with the delivery of this solution, The GeoInformation Group also provided a one-day training course to acquaint staff with the software and get up to speed with its capabilities.

Adam further comments, “The City of Lincoln Council is at the cutting edge of design and innovation. The City embraces the best of a medieval heritage and a vibrant modern city. We require the ability to assess new proposals to ensure that excellence is delivered. The GeoInformation Group provides the technology that will help to build a better future”.