ALCC00991: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports

Scanned paper maps and survey reports from detailed Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. Surveys grade land quality, including subdivisions of Grade 3 into 3a and 3b, using the methodology described in the official classification guidelines. Unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions are also available for some surveys.

Use Cases

• Analyze historical agricultural land quality trends based on the detailed grading methodology.
• Map land classification grades, including Grade 3 subdivisions, for regional planning.
• Study soil characteristics based on the available unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Strengths

• Survey data uses the official grading methodology described in 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales'.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b for finer analysis.
• Original scanned maps and reports provide a direct historical record.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

Government Digital Service / Natural England

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food.

Time Range

1989-1999

Geography

England and Wales (specific site: Abington, Welding Institute)