Agricultural Land Classification Survey: Chester Moor Site, 1989-1999

Natural England provides the Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) detailed survey for the Chester Moor site. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports for sites graded between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. It uses the grading methodology from the "Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales" report and may contain unedited soil sample point data and pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the official ALC grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and limitations for specific sites using the available soil pit descriptions and sample point data.
• Map land quality grades, including the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b, for regional planning.
• Study historical land use and soil survey practices from the late 20th century based on the scanned original documents.

Strengths

• Data is based on the official "Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales" methodology.
• Includes scanned original maps and reports, preserving historical survey detail.
• Some surveys contain unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.
• Surveys were conducted at detailed scales, typically 1:10,000, ranging from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.

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; Natural England

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999, with results captured in paper maps and reports that were later scanned.

Time Range

1989-1999

Freshness

null

Geography

Chester Moor, The Crescent (Chester le Street LP 134/3), England