Agricultural Land Classification Survey for Horley, North East (1989-1999)

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for the Horley, North East site in the Reigate & Banstead district. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports from detailed site surveys conducted 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 contain unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classifying agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyzing soil characteristics and variability using the unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.
• Mapping land quality for planning and development assessments based on the scanned original paper maps.
• Studying historical land use and soil survey practices from the late 20th century.

Strengths

• Original survey data from a defined time period (1989-1999) conducted by a government ministry.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b for finer detail.
• Contains both geospatial data (scanned maps at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000) and textual survey reports.

Limitations

• Row count, column-level documentation, and file formats are unknown; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Data may reflect geographic and temporal bias inherent to the specific survey site and period.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys involving soil analysis and mapping, following the published ALC methodology.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

null

Geography

Horley, North East site within the Reigate & Banstead district, England.