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

Detailed Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for the Leatherhead, Cherkley Estate site. The collection 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 features the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b, and for some surveys, unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and variability using the unedited sample point soils data and pit descriptions.
• Map historical land quality at varying scales (from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000) for regional planning or environmental studies.
• Compare land classification subgrades (3a and 3b) for agricultural productivity or conservation planning.

Strengths

• Uses the current grading methodology as described in the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines.
• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing more granular detail.
• Contains supplementary data like unedited sample point soils and soil pit descriptions for some surveys.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys with original paper maps and reports, later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

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

Geography

Leatherhead, Cherkley Estate, The Ruins (specific site in England).