Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports for England and Wales (1989-1999)

Post 1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) site survey data includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports for individual sites surveyed in detail between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. The data uses the grading methodology from 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales,' with maps at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000 and includes unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions for some surveys. The dataset is provided by the Government Digital Service and contains Natural England and Ordnance Survey data.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and quality for specific sites based on the available unedited sample point soils data.
• Map land-use suitability for farming at varying scales (1:5,000 to 1:50,000) using the scanned original paper maps.
• Study the subdivision of Grade 3 agricultural land into subgrades 3a and 3b for detailed planning.

Strengths

• Data is based on detailed site surveys conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, an authoritative source.
• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer detail.
• Original scanned maps and reports provide primary source material for analysis.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys producing paper maps and reports, later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Data collection period is 1989 to 1999; last update date is unknown.

Geography

Individual sites in England and Wales (specific survey: Billingley, Kings Stock OCCS).