ALCC03189f: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports

Natural England provides scanned original paper maps and survey reports from the Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) detailed site surveys. The data covers individual sites surveyed between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with maps at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000. Some surveys also include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land quality based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and land potential based on the available soil pit descriptions and sample point data.
• Integrate historical land classification maps into modern GIS systems for land-use change analysis.
• Model subgrade variations within Grade 3 agricultural land based on the subdivision into 3a and 3b.

Strengths

• Data uses the current grading methodology as described in the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines.
• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer detail.
• Original survey maps are available at varying scales, typically 1:10,000.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Natural England.

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys involving soil analysis and mapping.

Time Range

1989-1999

Freshness

Data covers surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999; last update is unknown.

Geography

England and Wales, specific to surveyed sites like Poringland, Gable Farm.