Weyhill Agricultural Land Classification Survey: Detailed Soil Maps and Reports 1989-1999

The Weyhill (Test Valley BLP) Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) dataset contains detailed post-1988 survey data from the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. It includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports for sites graded between 1989 and 1999, using the methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines. For some surveys, unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions are also available.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and limitations for land planning based on the available soil pit descriptions and sample point data.
• Map historical land quality for comparative studies using the scanned original maps at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.

Strengths

• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer detail.
• Original survey maps and reports are preserved as scanned documents.
• Some surveys include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted by government agencies, with results recorded on paper maps and in reports.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Survey data is from 1989-1999; last update date is unknown.

Geography

Weyhill area in Test Valley, England, United Kingdom.