Agricultural Land Classification: Detailed Site Surveys for England and Wales, 1989-1999

Ashby De La Zouch, Money Hill survey data from the Post 1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) program. The dataset contains scanned original paper maps and reports for individual sites surveyed in detail between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. It includes soil data and pit descriptions for some surveys, using the grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on detailed soil survey data and grading methodology.
• Analyze historical land quality trends based on surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999.
• Train geospatial models for land use planning based on scanned map data at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.
• Correlate soil pit descriptions and sample point data with land classification grades.

Strengths

• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer detail.
• Surveys were conducted using a consistent, documented methodology described in the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines.
• Contains unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions for some surveys.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys involving soil analysis and mapping, with results recorded on paper maps and reports later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Surveys were conducted between 1989 and 1999; data recency is historical.

Geography

England and Wales, specifically the Ashby De La Zouch, Money Hill site (North West Leicester LP Site 6198).