ALCL10394: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Survey for Pickering, 1989-1999

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for the Pickering site in Ryedale, 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, using the grading methodology from the '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

• Classifying agricultural land capability based on the official grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Mapping soil quality variations at a site level using the scanned original maps and subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Analyzing historical land use potential for specific locations based on detailed surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999.
• Integrating point-level soil data and pit descriptions for soil science research where such ancillary data is available.

Strengths

• Data collection follows the established 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' methodology.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 land into more detailed subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Original scanned maps and reports provide primary source material for the surveyed site.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys involving soil analysis and mapping, with results recorded on paper maps and in reports.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Survey data is historical, covering the period 1989 to 1999.

Geography

Pickering (Ryedale Local Plan Site 5), England