Agricultural Land Classification Survey: Littlestone Site with Soil Data

Natural England provides the 'Littlestone, Victoria Road' Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and reports from detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. For some surveys, unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions are also available.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze historical soil characteristics and land quality based on the available unedited sample point soils data.
• Map land use suitability for planning purposes based on the scanned geospatial maps and Grade 3 subdivisions.
• Study changes in land classification methodologies by comparing this post-1988 survey data with other periods.

Strengths

• Uses the current grading methodology as described in the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b for more detailed analysis.
• Contains original survey materials, including scanned maps and reports, preserving methodological detail.

Limitations

• Row count, column names, and file formats are unknown; data structure must be inspected after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Maps were created at varying scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, which may affect spatial analysis consistency.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; data provided by Natural England and the Government Digital Service.

Collection Method

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

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

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

Geography

Littlestone, Victoria Road (Shepway LP Site 44), England