Agricultural Land Classification Detailed Survey: Kingsfold (Horsham) 1989-1999

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for the Kingsfold (Horsham) site, collected between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports, with mapping scales ranging from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000 and some surveys providing unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions. It is published by the Government Digital Service and contains Natural England and Ordnance Survey copyright data.

Use Cases

• Analyzing historical land quality for planning decisions based on detailed Agricultural Land Classification grades.
• Comparing soil characteristics and land capability subgrades (e.g., 3a vs. 3b) for specific survey sites.
• Digitizing and integrating legacy paper map data into modern GIS systems for longitudinal land use studies.

Strengths

• Uses the established grading methodology described in 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales'.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 into detailed subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Provides original scanned maps and reports, preserving the primary survey record.

Limitations

• Row count, column definitions, and file formats are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Data is from a specific time range (1989-1999) and a single site, which may limit generalizability.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys involving soil analysis and mapping, with results recorded on paper maps and in reports.

Time Range

1989 to 1999.

Freshness

Data collection occurred between 1989 and 1999; last update date is unknown.

Geography

Kingsfold (Horsham DLP), England.