Agricultural Land Classification (ALC)

Roberts Environmental Agricultural Land Classification (ALC)

The Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) System in England and Wales is a framework which is used to assess the quality of farmland. This system classifies the land as grades 1 to 5 with the best quality being Grade 1 and the worst quality being Grade 5, Grade 3 is divided into subgrades 3a and 3b.

The ALC entails a detailed survey to gather data on the physical features of the soils, as well as a comprehensive assessment of desktop data to gather relevant information on the site to accurately assess the limitations to cultivation of the site and as such assign an ALC grade.

The following factors are considered in the ALC process, with the most limiting factor contributing to the final grading of the site:

Climate, Flooding, Topography/microrelief, Soil Depth, Stone content, Soil Wetness, Soil Droughtiness

Talk to our Experts

01. Planning Context

Key planning policies includes Paragraphs 187 and 188 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). These policies lead developers to recognise the presence of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land, which equates to ALC Grades 1, 2 & 3a (as defined in NPPF Annex 2), with the preference for development on lower quality agricultural land, which equates to ALC Grade 3b, 4 and 5. Local Planning policies up and down the country additionally have policies which guide development away from BMV land.

02. Intrusive Investigation

Intrusive site surveys will be undertaken by our team of expert consultants. We will thoroughly inspect the site collecting borehole data with a Dutch hand auger to a depth of 120cm, at a density of one auger boreing per hectare of land. For each soil type identified on site, our consultants will additionally dig a hand pit to assess soil structure.

03. The Report

Within our final report you will receive:

Desk based study of site environmental limitations
Intrusive survey findings
Justified ALC grade findings of the site
Logs of soil conditions/features encountered
Map of Survey observation points and Agricultural Land Classification grade distributions

04. FAQs

What time of year can you do an ALC intrusive survey?

There is no specific season for ALC surveys, they can be done year round. Whilst the survey is classed as intrusive, it’s far from invasive on farmland. The site works are completed on foot with hand tools with minimal disturbance to crops.

Site surveys cannot be undertaken under the following conditions:

Fresh Tilled land
After fresh manure spreading

My site is BMV land, how do I get it through planning?

Our team recognises the importance of a pragmatic approach to ensure the best outcomes for planning applications and the environment. Providing LPAs with clear context of the site and what the development means for agricultural resources in their region, giving justification for any loss of BMV agricultural land. Increasing the chances of gaining planning permission on greenfield land.

A physical survey isn’t possible, what can be done?

Desk based ALCs are possible, although not recommended, these involve calculating theoretical grades based on available published soils data. This can be used at scoping stage or in the event of site access issues and amended following a future survey.

My Site is in Scotland, do I need an ALC?

In Scotland, a Land Capability for Agricultura (LCA) assessment is used to assess the potential for land to support agricultural activities both reliably and sustainably without modification. The LCA informs planning decisions in Scotland by identifying the presence of Prime agricultural land (grades, 1, 2 and 3.1)