Agricultural land classification
A system that grades the quality of land for agricultural use
- Design stage
- On the platform
- Tags
- local plan
- Datasets
- Frequency of updates
- Unknown
- Legislation
- PPG for the Natural Environment
- Discussion
- Join the discussion on GitHub
- Last updated
- 2 December 2024
Backlog
Who asked for 'Agricultural land classification' data?
Geospatial Commission - identified as a dataset to make data easier to find for the sector.
What is the driver for the request?
Existing planning requirement
Which 2024 focus area does the request support?
Modern planning software;Other
Screen
What is the 'Agricultural land classification' consideration?
The Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) provides a method for assessing the quality of farmland to enable informed choices to be made about its future use within the planning system.
Is there legislation that defines 'Agricultural land classification'?
Yes
What is the legislation that defines 'Agricultural land classification'?
NOT LEGISLATION
Planning Guidance - Planning authorities must consult Natural England on all non-agricultural applications that result in the loss of more than 20 hectares (ha) of BMV land if the land is not included in a development plan. For example, this includes the likely cumulative loss of BMV land from the proposed development if it’s part of a phased development.
This is required by schedule 4(y) of the Order.
What is the specific part of the legislation that describes how a 'Agricultural land classification' gets designated?
N/A
What is the specific part of the legislation that requires the publication of 'Agricultural land classification'?
N/A
Who, in law, is responsible for the planning consideration or makes decisions about 'Agricultural land classification'?
Natural England
Which organisations do we think should publish the data?
Natural England
Is the Agricultural land classification a trigger?
Yes
What needs to be done because Agricultural land classification has acted as the trigger?
Agricultural Land Assessment
Is the Agricultural land classification something to consult during plan making?
No
Is there any Agricultural land classification data already available?
Yes
What Agricultural land classification data is currently available?
- Natural England (coverage: England; licence: OGL version 3; fields: GEOGEXT; AREA; ALC_GRADE; PERIMETER; Shape__Area; Shape__Length)
- Natural England (coverage: England; licence: OGL version 3; fields: OBJECTID GEOGEXT JOB_NUMBER RPT ALC_GRADE HECTARES RPT_JOBNUM Published_ Shape__Area Shape__Length)
- Natural England (coverage: England; licence: https://www.gov.uk/how-to-access-natural-englands-maps-and-data#terms-and-conditions-for-use-of-data)
Do we think the data should come from a single source?
Yes Natural England
Will a data standard be required?
No
Research
Do we understand the lifecycle of a Agricultural land classification?
No
Do we understand how the data is created/produced?
N/A
Where will or should the data be used?
N/A
What other planning considerations does it interact with?
Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land
Other than the statutory consultees who are the primary users of Agricultural land classification? How do we expect them to use Agricultural land classification?
N/A
What are the planning needs for this data?
Agricultural Land Classification is an important consideration for developers to understand any potential restrictions or complications associated with land. It is important to know use class also. Developers and LPAs will need to refer to national and local policies related to agricultural land when considering potential development proposals affecting agricultural land and soils, to protect Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land from significant, innappropriate or unsustainable development proposals, as well as all soils by managing them in a sustainable way. Natural England will need to be consulted as a Statutory Consultee.
Who are the types of users who might benefit from having access to Agricultural land classification data?
As per above
What are some potential uses of Agricultural land classification data?
As per above
What's the value of adding Agricultural land classification data to the platform?
As per above
From what we have learnt so far are there any risks to making Agricultural land classification data available?
N/A