Didcot Agricultural Land Classification Survey: Detailed Soil Maps and Reports 1989-1999

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification survey data for the Didcot Development Plan Area C. 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 contain unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify land capability for agriculture based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze historical soil quality and land use patterns based on the scanned maps and soil pit descriptions.
• Support land development planning decisions by referencing the subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Integrate historical agricultural land classification data with modern GIS layers for longitudinal studies.

Strengths

• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer detail.
• Maps were created at varying scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, suggesting detailed spatial data.
• Some surveys include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions, offering raw observational data.

Limitations

• Row count and file formats are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data may reflect temporal bias inherent to the 1989-1999 collection period.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (survey), Natural England and Ordnance Survey (copyright).

Collection Method

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

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Geography

Didcot (Development Plan Area C), England