What drone services does CAV Aerial offer?

CAV Aerial provides drone roof inspections, thermal imaging, 3D models, and campaign video production. All flights are insured and GVC-certified.

Who are your typical clients?

We work with architects, conservation officers, builders, councils, heritage trusts, church wardens, and private homeowners across the UK.

Are your services suitable for churches and listed buildings?

Yes, we specialise in drone documentation for sensitive sites, including listed buildings and churches. We're registered with the National Churches Trust network.

Roof & Heritage Drone Surveys

Aerial roof view of Holy Innocents Church, South Norwood, captured during our drone inspection. The image highlights roof condition, material variation, and areas of visible wear.

When Paul Jackson of Paul Jackson Architects reached out on behalf of the Archdeacon of Southwark, it was clear that Holy Innocents Church in South Norwood needed urgent attention. The Grade II listed building has stood for over a century, but like many historic churches across London, it faces the challenges of time, weather, and ongoing maintenance.

Our task at CAV Aerial was to carry out a full drone inspection of the church roof, bell, cupola, and surrounding elevations. By using drones, we were able to capture high-resolution aerial photography and 4K video without the cost, disruption, or risks of scaffolding or cherry pickers.

Why the Inspection Was Needed

The Archdeacon of Southwark requested a full survey to better understand the building’s condition before committing to repairs. Accessing the roof of a large church can be expensive and potentially disruptive to services and community life—especially when the site also hosts a busy nursery. A drone survey provided a safe, efficient, and cost-effective alternative.

Key Findings from the Drone Survey

During the inspection, several serious maintenance issues were identified:

Timber frame of the bell support – showing significant wear and poor state of repair.
Cracked lead work on the north elevation – a clear risk for water ingress.
Damaged flue – cracks were visible along the structure, impacting ventilation.
Vegetation growth – moss and plant life taking hold in gutters and joints.
Neglected stonework – deterioration around the cross and architectural details.
Cracked and missing roof tiles – increasing the likelihood of leaks.

In addition, at the request of the church, we carried out a last-minute inspection of the adjacent nursery’s felt roof, where we discovered that the chimney flue was completely bent—another issue requiring immediate attention.

Deliverables Provided

All data was organised into clearly labelled folders and shared securely with Paul Jackson via Google Drive. This included:

RAW format still images – maximum quality for detailed analysis.
Two aerial orbit videos – one around the central cupola, the other focused on the east-facing stone cross.
Additional roof footage – covering small adjacent roofs and the nursery building.

This structured approach allowed Paul and his team to access exactly what they needed without wasting time searching through files.

Why Drones Made the Difference

Traditional roof access would have required scaffolding, temporary closures, and significant cost—not to mention the disruption to church services and the nursery. By using drones, we provided:

Rapid access – inspection completed in under two hours.
Cost savings – no scaffolding or access towers required.
Non-disruptive surveying – church services and nursery operations continued as normal.
Unmatched detail – 4K video and RAW photography captured every crack, joint, and fault line.

Supporting Future Conservation

With the aerial imagery and video evidence provided, Paul Jackson Architects now has the necessary detail to advise the Archdeacon of Southwark on the next steps in repair and conservation. This ensures that the church can plan its restoration work effectively, with clear visual documentation of the issues at hand.

Conclusion

The Holy Innocents Church drone inspection is a clear example of how aerial surveys are transforming heritage conservation. By combining modern drone technology with traditional architectural expertise, it’s possible to safeguard historic buildings while avoiding unnecessary cost and disruption.

At CAV Aerial, we specialise in church roof inspections, heritage building surveys, and conservation photography. Whether it’s a cracked tile, damaged lead work, or hidden structural issue, our drones can provide the evidence needed to support architects, dioceses, and heritage bodies in their decision-making.

If your church or heritage building requires a roof survey, get in touch with CAV Aerial today.