West Burton Bole Ings: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey

England and Wales agricultural land classification data from detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps, survey reports, and for some sites, unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions. Surveys use the grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines and were mapped at scales ranging from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.

Use Cases

• Classify land capability for agriculture based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and variability based on the unedited sample point soils data and pit descriptions.
• Map historical agricultural land quality for land use planning based on the scanned original paper maps.
• Compare subgrades within Grade 3 agricultural land (3a and 3b) for more granular land assessment.

Strengths

• Data is based on detailed site surveys conducted by a government ministry (MAFF) over a defined 10-year period (1989-1999).
• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b for finer granularity.
• Original scanned maps and reports provide primary source material, and some surveys include raw soils data.

Limitations

• Row count, column definitions, and file formats are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; data freshness is unverified.
• Mapping scales and level of detail vary significantly (1:5,000 to 1:50,000) across sites.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), via Natural England and the Government Digital Service.

Collection Method

Detailed field surveys following the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' methodology.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

null

Geography

Specific survey sites in England and Wales, including West Burton and Bole Ings.