Agricultural Land Classification Survey: Chartham West, 1989-1999

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification survey data for the Chartham West site, collected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports from detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999. It features soil grade mapping, including Grade 3 subdivisions, and may contain 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 quality variations using the mapped subgrades 3a and 3b for the Grade 3 classification.
• Integrate historical land classification data with modern GIS layers using the provided scanned maps.
• Study soil characteristics from the unedited sample point data and soil pit descriptions mentioned as available for some surveys.

Strengths

• Data follows the established grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' publication.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer detail for analysis.
• Original survey materials (scanned maps and reports) are preserved, offering historical context.

Limitations

• Row count and column-level documentation are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Maps were created at varying scales (1:5,000 to 1:50,000), which may affect consistency for direct overlay.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys involving soil mapping and classification, with results recorded in paper maps and reports later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

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

Geography

Chartham West, Canterbury, England