ALCR01698: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey for Snodland

Natural England's Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for the 'Snodland, Proposed Cement Works' site. 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 contains land grading using the current methodology, with Grade 3 subdivided into 3a and 3b, and may include unedited soil sample point data and pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability for planning applications based on the detailed grading methodology.
• Analyze soil characteristics and variability for a specific site based on available sample point and pit description data.
• Map historical land quality for environmental impact studies using the scanned original survey maps.
• Compare land grading practices and classifications from the 1989-1999 survey period.

Strengths

• Uses the formal 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' grading methodology, providing a standardized assessment.
• Includes detailed subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b for finer granularity.
• Original survey materials (scanned maps and reports) are preserved, offering historical fidelity.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and file formats are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic and temporal bias inherent to a single-site survey from 1989-1999.

Provenance

Source

Natural England / Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF).

Collection Method

Detailed field surveys conducted by MAFF, with results captured in original paper maps and reports.

Time Range

1989 to 1999.

Freshness

Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Geography

Snodland, Proposed Cement Works site (England).