SFCC Spatial Data Note to Members April 2015
Web Map Services
A Web Map Service (WMS) is a standard means or protocol to serve or share map-based
information over the Internet. Maps are generated by a map server using data from a GIS
database. The specification was developed and first published by the Open Geospatial
Consortium in 1999. More recently, environmental organisations in Scotland such as SEPA,
SNH and Marine Scotland have been publishing and maintaining Web Map Services,
available within the public domain. These services enable central updating of data, and
streaming of these layers to desktop GIS software.
How to add a Web Map Service (WMS) to ARCGIS Desktop
Open ArcMap
In ArcCatalog, click to open the GIS Servers list
Double click Add WMS Server
Copy & paste a url (such as the Marine Scotland Web Map URL below including the ?) into
the displayed box and click OK
http://msmap1.atkinsgeospatial.com/geoserver/ows/nmp?
A new item will be added to the ArcCatalog list under GIS Servers – Marine Scotland Web
Map Service on msmap1.atkinsgeospatial.com
Double click then single clicks to open the item and see the list of possible layers.
You can add the full set or individual layers – the full set displays in scale order once in the
mxd Table of Contents and transformation (see below) only needs to be done once, but you
may find that having just a few separate layers works better.
Drag & drop to the Marine Scotland Web Map Service to the foot of your mxd Table of
Contents
Layers come in WGS_1984, so (unless your mxd projection is set to WGS84) they need to
be Transformed for OSGB_1936:
Click Transformations in the Warning window
Convert from: GCS_WGS_1984
Into:
GCS_OSGB_1936
Using:
OSGB_1936_To_WGS_1984_Petroleum
Click OK
Click Close
Zoom in to < 1:10,000 and test display as you zoom out – layer products will change with
scale.
It will take a few minutes to load initially but seems to work reasonable well after that.
Save the mxd with web mapping layers switched off before closing.
Note the WMS only needs to be added once to ArcCatalog – it will then appear in all your
mxds under GIS_Server folders
SAC Data downloaded from SNHi - Special Areas of Conservation
http://www.snh.gov.uk/snhi/
1. SNH SAC Description
Last Update
2014-01-29
Abstract
SACs in Scotland are designated by Scottish Ministers under the EC
Habitats Directive. They are areas which have been identified as best representing the
range and variety within the European Union of habitats and (non-bird) species listed on
Annexes I and II to the Directive. SACs in terrestrial areas and marine areas out to 12
nautical miles are afforded protection through the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.)
Regulations 1994 (as amended). Possible Special Areas of Conservation (pSAC) may be
subject to change prior to submission.
Version history
 2014-01-29 - Sound of Barra status change
 2013-08-21 - Sound of Barra cSAC boundary change
 2012-04-01 - ...
Metadata
– see SAC_SCOTLAND_metadata.html
Lineage
There are specific obligations on Member States under the EC
Habitats Directive to avoid the deterioration of natural habitats, the habitats of species
and significant disturbance of the species for which SACs have been designated. These
obligations are implemented through domestic legislation in the Conservation (Natural
Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994, as amended. 238 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
in Scotland were formally designated by Scottish Ministers on 17 March 2005.
Designating Authority In Scotland Scottish Ministers
Role of SNH
SNH acts as the advisor to Government in proposing selected sites
for Ministerial approval as possible SACs. SNH then undertakes consultation over
proposed sites with owners, occupiers, planning authorities and other interested parties
on behalf of the Scottish Ministers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Data Licence & Copyright
Available under an Ordnance Survey Open Data Licence.
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/docs/licences/os-opendata-licence.pdf
You must always use the following attribution statement to acknowledge the source of
the information:
Copyright Scottish Natural Heritage. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown
copyright and database right (year)
Please read the OS Open Data Licence, abide by copyright requirements and always
acknowledge SNH and OS on any maps containing SAC data.
4. SAC Information
http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/internationaldesignations/sac/
http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/internationaldesignations/sac/sac-location/
SACs in Scotland
http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/sitelink/index.jsp
SNH SiteLink search facility
http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1457
JNCC UK SAC information
http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/internationaldesignations/sac/marine-sacs/
Marine SACs
http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1445
JNCC UK Marine SACs
http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/nationaldesignations/mpa-consultations/
Marine Protected Areas
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. SNH Web Mapping Services (WMS)
SAC data are also available through SNH WMS directly to your ArcMap mxd.
As part of an ongoing effort to make public sector environmental information more easily
and widely available, Scottish Natural Heritage is now publishing GIS data as Open GIS
Consortium compliant web map services.
https://gateway.snh.gov.uk/natural-spaces/wms.jsp
The OpenGIS® Web Map Service Interface Standard (WMS) provides a simple HTTP
interface for requesting geo-registered map images from one or more distributed
geospatial databases. These services can now be consumed by a number of Geographic
Information Systems and geo-information browsers.
http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards/wms
Data are updated by SNH - the WMS layer should be the most recent version (but may
not contain information to confirm the date of any recent changes).
SNH Symbology - the display of the WMS layer cannot be changed. The layer’s legend
does not display in the Table of Contents but can be added to the map (see below).
SNH Attribute display – the display of attributes is more limited than using downloaded
data. Labels are not generally available in WMS but Identify should be available on
individual features (see below).
GIS processing, including selecting a subset, is not generally possible with WMS layers.
If you need to create subsets or combine with other datasets, the downloaded version is
usually required.
Data contained in the Web Map Services are derived from Ordnance Survey data and
covered by Crown Copyright. By accessing SNH WMS data you agree to accept OS Open
Data Terms and Conditions which can be seen in full at
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/docs/licences/os-opendata-licence.pdf
Add SACs to an ArcMap mxd from SNH WMS
Open ArcMap
In ArcCatalog, click to open the GIS Servers list
Double click Add WMS Server
Copy & paste the URL below (including the ?) into the displayed box
http://mapgateway.snh.gov.uk/ServicesWMS/SNH_Protected_Sites/MapServer/WMSServer?
Windfarm Data downloaded from SNHi – Onshore Windfarm Proposals
http://www.snh.gov.uk/snhi/
1. SNH Windfarm Description
Last Update
2014-10-08
Abstract
On-shore wind farm proposals in the public domain. Sites may be
at different stages of the application process from scoping to operational or refused.
These sites are linked to information held in the SNH Casework Recording System,
therefore should be considered as non-definitive data, subject to change without
notice. The data in Natural Spaces is refreshed quarterly.
Version history
 2014-10-08
 2014-06-02
 2014-02-24
 2013-10-07
-
regular
regular
regular
regular
update
update
update
update
Metadata
– see WINDFARM_metadata.pdf
Lineage
Mapped data sourced from a variety of consultations therefore
quality and accuracy may not be consistent and cannot be guaranteed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Data Licence & Copyright
Available under an Ordnance Survey Open Data Licence.
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/docs/licences/os-opendata-licence.pdf
You must always use the following attribution statement to acknowledge the source of
the information:
Copyright Scottish Natural Heritage. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown
copyright and database right (year)
Please read the OS Open Data Licence, abide by copyright requirements and always
acknowledge SNH and OS on any maps containing NNR data.
4. Windfarm Information
SNH Windfarm footprint maps
http://www.snh.gov.uk/planning-and-development/renewable-energy/research-dataand-trends/trendsandstats/windfarm-footprint-maps/
SNH explanation: To help provide a national overview of wind farm development in
Scotland, we produce wind farm footprint maps based on our own database of wind farm
proposals. The map is currently updated every 12 months and will therefore not contain
all wind farm proposals, nor will it reflect recent changes in status. The wind farm
footprint map is intended to provide an overview only. However, users should note:
 the map is updated regularly, but will never be 100% accurate;
 there are several 'gaps' on the map where we are seeking appropriate mapping of
proposals to add to the map;
 the map should not be used to form the basis of detailed environmental
assessment or regional planning work - it is an overview only;
 the map shows the approximate physical footprint of the wind farm and is usually
based on the site boundary as shown on the Environmental Statement (where we
don't have site boundary, a turbine 'envelope' is used instead, using the outer
turbine locations);
 it will often include site access tracks, but generally excludes grid connections;
 the map does not show the 'visibility' footprint of the wind farms, it shows the
physical footprint only;
 it is acknowledged that the word 'footprint' could be misleading - it does not
represent the physical footprint of the turbines (or their foundations) themselves
- it shows the area of land occupied by the windfarm and is intended to illustrate
the relative scale of wind farm proposals;
 the map only shows wind farms which are installed, consented, in planning or at
scoping stage - it does not show proposals which have been withdrawn or refused
consent;
 the map does not include small domestic wind turbines and generally only
includes wind turbines of greater than 50m in height;
 the map only includes proposals which SNH are consulted on, some small wind
clusters or community scale proposals, which have not been reviewed by SNH
may not appear.
The August 2013 map was made available in a new format. It splits Scotland into 4
sections and provides a more detail map for each, with a numbered key for the wind
farms. The first page still provides the national overview, minus the names of the wind
farms. The map is designed for printing at A3, but can also be printed at A4.
The 2014 wind farm map (usually published in August each year) will be published
alongside the Scottish Government's 2015 Renewable Energy Routemap update.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/08/04110353/0
SG 2020 Routemap for Renewable Energy in Scotland
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. SNH Web Mapping Services (WMS)
Windfarms data are also available through SNH WMS directly to your ArcMap mxd.
As part of an ongoing effort to make public sector environmental information more easily
and widely available, Scottish Natural Heritage is now publishing GIS data as Open GIS
Consortium compliant web map services.
https://gateway.snh.gov.uk/natural-spaces/wms.jsp
The OpenGIS® Web Map Service Interface Standard (WMS) provides a simple HTTP
interface for requesting geo-registered map images from one or more distributed
geospatial databases. These services can now be consumed by a number of Geographic
Information Systems and geo-information browsers.
http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards/wms
Data are updated by SNH - the WMS layer should be the most recent version (but may
not contain information to confirm the date of any recent changes).
SNH Symbology - the display of the WMS layer cannot be changed. The layer’s legend
does not display in the Table of Contents but can be added to the map (see below).
SNH Attribute display – the display of attributes is more limited than using downloaded
data. Labels are not generally available in WMS but Identify should be available on
individual features (see below).
GIS processing, including selecting a subset, is not generally possible with WMS layers.
If you need to create subsets or combine with other datasets, the downloaded version is
usually required.
Data contained in the Web Map Services are derived from Ordnance Survey data and
covered by Crown Copyright. By accessing SNH WMS data you agree to accept OS Open
Data Terms and Conditions which can be seen in full at
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/docs/licences/os-opendata-licence.pdf
Add Windfarms to an ArcMap mxd from SNH WMS
Open ArcMap
In ArcCatalog, click to open the GIS Servers list
Double click Add WMS Server
Copy & paste the URL below (including the ?) into the displayed box
http://mapgateway.snh.gov.uk/ServicesWMS/SNH_Renewables/MapServer/WMSServer?
Click Get Layers and then OK
(If layers are not listed, check that the URL text is correct)
A new item is added to the ArcCatalog list under GIS Servers
- SNH Renewables WMS on mapgateway.snh.gov.uk
The item contains a named group of layers
- SNH Renewables WMS
Double click the item, single clicks to open the group & list of possible layers