Agricultural Land Classification Survey: South Malling Farm, 1989-1999

Post 1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) site survey data for South Malling, Old Malling Farm. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports for sites surveyed in detail between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, using grading 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 quality based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and land suitability for farming based on the available soil pit descriptions and sample point data.
• Map land use potential at varying scales (from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000) for regional planning purposes.

Strengths

• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer detail.
• Contains original scanned maps and reports, preserving the primary survey data.
• Some surveys include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Row count, file formats, and column-level documentation are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Data may reflect geographic and temporal bias inherent to the specific survey period (1989-1999) and location.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999, with results compiled into paper maps and reports that were later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Survey period is 1989-1999; last update date is unknown.

Geography

South Malling, Old Malling Farm (Lewes DLP Site 19), England.