Web Services: Why is my existing Web Feature Service (WFS) request no longer returning any features?

Created: 19 Nov 2024

If you have an existing request which makes use of GetFeatures you may find this no longer works -for example;

https://environment.data.gov.uk/spatialdata/flood-map-for-planning-rivers-and-sea-flood-storage-areas/wfs?service=WFS&version=2.0.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=ms:Flood_Map_For_Planning_Rivers_And_Sea_Flood_Storage_Areas&bbox=248073.09000000005,54141.884999999995,248573.09000000005,54461.884999999995&outputFormat=GEOJSON&srsName=EPSG:27700

A quick way to confirm this is by entering the request directly into a web browser. If you see the following text, the issue is a change of namespace, caused by the migration;

How do I find the correct namespace?

In a web browser, use a GetCapabilities request - this will provide the required details. For this example, the required request is;

https://environment.data.gov.uk/spatialdata/flood-map-for-planning-rivers-and-sea-flood-storage-areas/wfs?request=GetCapabilities&service=WFS&version=2.0.0

A search for FeatureType will locate the required details;

Updating the request using the details in the <Name> tag will now work;

https://environment.data.gov.uk/spatialdata/flood-map-for-planning-rivers-and-sea-flood-storage-areas/wfs?service=WFS&version=2.0.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=dataset-86ca7c80-d465-11e4-afe1-f0def148f590:Flood_Map_for_Planning_Rivers_and_Sea_Flood_Storage_Areas&bbox=248073.09000000005,54141.884999999995,248573.09000000005,54461.884999999995&outputFormat=GEOJSON&srsName=EPSG:27700

This can be tested in a browser. Once the namespace is amended, the following will be returned;

You may also find this article useful - I have confirmed I am using the correct typeName, but I’m still not seeing any features in my map?