ALCR02492: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Survey for England and Wales

Post 1988 Agricultural Land Classification survey data for the Nether Winchendon, Marsh Farm site, collected by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps, survey reports, and for some surveys, unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions. Surveys use the grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines and were mapped at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.

Use Cases

• Classifying agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyzing historical soil characteristics and land quality based on the available unedited sample point and soil pit data.
• Mapping land use suitability for planning purposes using the georeferenced, scanned survey maps.
• Studying the subdivision of Grade 3 agricultural land into subgrades 3a and 3b for detailed land assessment.

Strengths

• Includes original survey maps and reports, providing primary source material.
• Surveys use a defined and referenced grading methodology ('Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales').
• Contains detailed Grade 3 subdivisions (3a and 3b) and, for some surveys, raw soils data.

Limitations

• Row count and column-level documentation are unknown; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Data may reflect temporal bias inherent to the 1989-1999 collection period.

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 paper maps and reports later scanned.

Time Range

1989-1999

Freshness

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

Geography

Nether Winchendon, Marsh Farm site (England and Wales).