ALCL18395: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Survey for Hexham, 1989-1999

Original paper maps and reports from a detailed Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999. The data covers specific sites in Hexham, Tynedale District, mapping land grades from 1 to 3, with Grade 3 subdivided into 3a and 3b. Some surveys also include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Analyzing historical land quality for planning decisions based on the detailed Agricultural Land Classification grades.
• Comparing soil characteristics and land capability over time based on the available soil pit descriptions and sample point data.
• Training geospatial models for land use prediction based on the scanned original maps and grading methodology.

Strengths

• Uses the current grading methodology as described in the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' publication.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing more granular detail.
• Some surveys contain unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Row count, file formats, and column-level documentation are unknown; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Maps were created at varying scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, which may affect consistency and precision for analysis.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (survey), Natural England and Ordnance Survey (copyright).

Collection Method

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

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

null

Geography

Hexham, Tynedale District, England (Sites 237 and 238)