ALCL03392: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Survey for Gateshead, 1989-1999

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification survey data for the Gateshead Western Bypass site, collected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999. It includes scanned original paper maps, survey reports, and for some surveys, unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions. The data uses the grading methodology from 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' and maps land quality, subdividing Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land quality based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and limitations for land development planning using the unedited sample point and soil pit data.
• Map historical land use and soil quality changes for a specific geographic site based on the scanned maps and survey data.

Strengths

• Data is based on detailed site surveys conducted by a government ministry (MAFF) over a defined 10-year period.
• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 land into more precise subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Provides original scanned maps and reports, preserving the primary survey documentation.

Limitations

• Row count, column definitions, and file formats are unknown, which limits suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Maps were created at varying scales (1:5,000 to 1:50,000), which may affect consistency and detail.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed field surveys and mapping conducted by government surveyors.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

null

Geography

Gateshead Western Bypass site, England