Agricultural Land Classification: Detailed Site Surveys for Bourne, 1989-1999

Natural England provides the Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) detailed survey data for the Bourne, North East site. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps, survey reports, unedited sample point soils data, and soil pit descriptions for sites surveyed between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Surveys use the grading methodology from 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' and were mapped at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and variability using the unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.
• Map land quality for planning and environmental impact assessments based on the scanned original paper maps.
• Study historical land use and soil survey practices from the late 1980s and 1990s.

Strengths

• Includes original scanned paper maps and survey reports, providing primary source material.
• Surveys use a defined national grading methodology ('Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales').
• Some surveys include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.
• Maps detail at varying scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, with a typical scale of 1:10,000.

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

Natural England / Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted by government surveyors, with data from scanned original paper maps and reports.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Geography

Bourne, North East, England