Agricultural Land Classification: Sheffield Westwood New Road Survey Maps

Original paper maps and survey reports for detailed agricultural land classification surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. Surveys grade land from 1 to 5, with Grade 3 subdivided into subgrades 3a and 3b, using methodology from the official classification guidelines. Maps are scanned at varying scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, and some surveys include unedited soil sample point data and pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land quality based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and land suitability for farming based on the available soil pit descriptions and sample point data.
• Map historical land use and soil classification changes between 1989 and 1999 for the surveyed site.
• Compare land grading at different scales, from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, to assess detail and accuracy.

Strengths

• Survey data uses the current grading methodology as described in the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer granularity for moderate-quality land.
• Original maps are scanned at varying scales, typically 1:10,000, offering detailed spatial representation.

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

Government Digital Service

Collection Method

Scanned original paper maps and survey reports from detailed site surveys.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Geography

Sheffield, Westwood New Road site