ALCR19894: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports, 1989-1999

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for the Hollingbourne, River Farm site in Maidstone, collected by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and reports from detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999, using the grading methodology from the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines. For some surveys, unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions are also available.

Use Cases

• Analyze historical land quality for planning decisions based on detailed Agricultural Land Classification grades.
• Study soil characteristics and variability based on available unedited sample point data and soil pit descriptions.
• Map land capability for agriculture at a local scale based on the scanned original survey maps.
• Compare land grading methodologies over time based on the referenced official classification guidelines.

Strengths

• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer detail.
• Original survey materials (scanned maps and reports) are preserved for a specific site.
• Some surveys include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Row count and column-level documentation are absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys with soil analysis, resulting in paper maps and reports that were later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

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

Geography

Hollingbourne, River Farm (Maidstone LP Site 29), England, United Kingdom.