ALCC03189b: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports

Between 1989 and 1999, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food conducted detailed site surveys for agricultural land classification. The dataset contains scanned original paper maps and survey reports for individual sites, with mapping scales ranging from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000. It is provided by the Government Digital Service and includes unedited soil data for some surveys.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze historical soil characteristics and land quality based on available soil pit descriptions and sample point data.
• Integrate historical land classification maps with modern geospatial datasets for change detection analysis.

Strengths

• Surveys use a defined and referenced grading methodology, providing a consistent classification framework.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b, offering finer detail for moderate-quality land.
• Original survey materials (scanned maps and reports) are preserved, providing primary source data.

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.
• Data may reflect temporal bias inherent to the 1989-1999 survey period.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (survey), Government Digital Service (platform).

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted by government surveyors, with results recorded on paper maps and in reports.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Geography

England and Wales, specifically the Poringland, Pigot Lane (Area 2) site.