ALCR07493: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Survey for Etchinghill, 1989-1999

Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for the Etchinghill site in Shepway, conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports, with some surveys providing unedited soil sample point data and pit descriptions. It is published by the Government Digital Service under a Natural England and Ordnance Survey copyright.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the official grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and variability using the unedited sample point soils data and pit descriptions.
• Map land quality subdivisions, such as Grade 3a and 3b, for regional planning and development assessments.
• Digitize and integrate historical paper map data into modern Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Strengths

• Uses the current official Agricultural Land Classification grading methodology for England and Wales.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b for finer detail.
• Original survey materials, including scanned maps and reports, are preserved.

Limitations

• Row count, column definitions, and file formats are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Maps were created at varying scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, which may affect consistency.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (survey), Government Digital Service (publisher).

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted by government agricultural experts, with results recorded on paper maps and in reports.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Survey data is from 1989-1999; last update date for the dataset is unknown.

Geography

Etchinghill, Shepway, England and Wales (specific site within a local plan).