ALCR04295: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports

Post 1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) site survey data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports for individual sites surveyed in detail between 1989 and 1999. Unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions are also available for some surveys.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze historical soil characteristics and land quality based on the available soil pit descriptions and sample point data.
• Map land use suitability for planning or environmental assessment based on the detailed ALC grades, including subgrades 3a and 3b.

Strengths

• Includes original survey maps and reports, providing primary source documentation.
• Uses a defined grading methodology as described in the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' publication.
• Provides subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b for more granular analysis.

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 (MAFF), with copyright held by Natural England and Ordnance Survey.

Collection Method

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

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Survey data collected between 1989 and 1999; last update date for the digital record is unknown.

Geography

Individual survey sites in England and Wales, specifically the 'Dial Post east (Horsham LP)' area for this entry.