ALCR07597: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey for Cliffe Chalk Quarry

Post 1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) site survey data for the Cliffe Chalk Quarry site, surveyed in detail between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports, with mapping scales ranging from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000. Unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions are also available for some surveys.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and limitations for land management based on the unedited sample point and soil pit data.
• Map land quality subdivisions, such as Grade 3a and 3b, for regional planning based on the scanned survey maps.

Strengths

• Original survey data from a government ministry (MAFF) collected between 1989 and 1999.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 land into more detailed subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Contains multiple data types: scanned maps, reports, and point soils data for some sites.

Limitations

• Row count, file formats, and column-level documentation are unknown; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Mapping scales and level of detail vary from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000 across individual sites.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF), provided via Natural England and the Government Digital Service.

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys involving soil analysis and mapping, following the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' methodology.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Data collection period ended in 1999; last update date is unknown.

Geography

Cliffe, Cliffe Chalk Quarry site in England and Wales.