Agricultural Land Classification Survey: York A59 Corridor, 1989-1999

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for the York, A59 Corridor Hessay, Poppleton & Knapton area. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports from detailed site surveys conducted 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' guidelines and may contain 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 historical soil characteristics and land suitability based on available soil pit descriptions and sample point data.
• Map land use changes and agricultural potential for specific sites based on the scanned geospatial maps.
• Compare land grading subdivisions, such as Grade 3a and 3b, across surveyed areas.

Strengths

• Original survey data from a government ministry (MAFF) provides authoritative source material.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b for more granular analysis.
• May contain supplementary soil data like unedited sample points and pit descriptions for some surveys.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys with soil analysis, resulting in paper maps and reports that were later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Data collection period is 1989-1999; last update status is unknown.

Geography

York, A59 Corridor Hessay, Poppleton & Knapton, England