Skip to main content

Help us improve the National Data Library - complete this short survey

Close survey banner

Predictive Agricultural Land Classification Map for England

Publisher
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Updated
1 July 2026
Topic
Not set

Summary

Predictive Agriculture Land Classification Map is a strategic scale (1:250, 000 user scale) agricultural land classification map for England that includes the subdivision grade 3 land according to current ALC guidelines. The Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) system assesses land's inherent agricultural capability based on soil, climate, and site characteristics. Land is graded from Grade 1 (excellent) to Grade 5 (very poor). Grades 1, 2, and 3a are considered Best and Most Versatile (BMV). The Predictive ALC Map is a significant update from the Provisional ALC Map providing a consistent, spatially comprehensive national view of land quality across England. The current ALC grading follows the 1988 MAFF guidelines, which introduced the 3a/3b subdivision for BMV land. Attribution statement: © Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs copyright and/or database right 2024. All rights reserved.

Is this data/dataset useful? Give us feedback

Additional information

Source Metadata
XML, HTML
Date added
29 May 2026
Harvest GUID
a817d96f-271d-487b-89ad-48d271f931aa
Extent (Latitude)
55.8111151497005° to 49.8647926358421°
Extent (Longitude)
-6.41866722959945° to 1.76370560966352°
Spatial reference system
http://www.opengis.net/def/crs/EPSG/0/27700
Dataset reference date (creation)
2025-08-12
Dataset reference date (publication)
2025-10-15
Dataset reference date (revision)
2026-03-27
Frequency of update
asNeeded
Access constraints
There are no public access constraints to this data. Use of this data is subject to the licence identified.
Responsible party
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (pointOfContact)
ISO 19139 resource type
dataset
Metadata language
eng

Contact

Enquiries

open@defra.gov.uk

Freedom of information (FOI) requests

helpline@defra.gov.uk

Licence information

Open Government Licence