Faversham Ham Marshes: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey

Post 1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) site survey data for the Faversham Ham Marshes area in Kent. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports for sites surveyed in detail between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. It uses the grading methodology from 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' and may include 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 and characteristics based on the available unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.
• Map land-use suitability for planning purposes using the scanned geospatial maps at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.
• Study historical land quality trends for a specific site surveyed between 1989 and 1999.

Strengths

• Provides detailed land classification, including subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Includes original survey materials such as scanned maps and reports for individual sites.
• Survey methodology is explicitly referenced to the authoritative 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' document.

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; data provided via Natural England and the Government Digital Service.

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999, with results captured in paper maps and reports that were later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Survey data covers the period 1989 to 1999; last update for the dataset is unknown.

Geography

Faversham Ham Marshes, Kent, England