Searches User Guide: Agricultural
These are datasets specifically used in the Groundsure Agricultural report.
Agricultural Land Classifications
The Agricultural Land Classification scheme classifies farmland into grades which indicate the versatility and suitability of the land for growing crops. Classification of the quality of agricultural land taking into consideration multiple factors including climate, physical geography and soil properties. It should be noted that the categories for the grading of agricultural land are not consistent across England, Wales and Scotland.
Data update schedule: Annually
Timber felling licences
Felling Licence Application (FLA) areas approved by Forestry Commission England. Anyone wishing to fell trees must ensure that a licence or permission under a grant scheme has been issued by the Forestry Commission before any felling is carried out or that one of the exceptions apply.
Data update schedule: Annually
Environmental stewardship schemes
Environmental Stewardship covers a range of schemes that provide financial incentives to farmers, foresters and land managers to look after and improve the environment.
Data update schedule: Annually
Countryside stewardship schemes
Countryside Stewardship covers a range of schemes that provide financial incentives to farmers, foresters and land managers to look after and improve the environment. Main objectives are to improve the farmed environment for wildlife and to reduce diffuse water pollution.
Data update schedule: Annually
Open access land
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act) normally gives a public right of access to land mapped as ‘open country’ (mountain, moor, heath and down) or registered common land. These areas are known as ‘open access land’. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/open-access-land-management-rights-and-responsibilities
Data update schedule: Quarterly
Waste exemptions
Activities involving the storage, treatment, use or disposal of waste that are exempt from needing a permit. Exemptions have specific limits and conditions that must be adhered to.
Data update schedule: Quarterly
Discharge consents
Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales records of discharges of treated or untreated effluent to controlled waters under the Water Resources Act 1991. An environmental permit is required for the discharge of liquid effluent or wastewater (poisonous, noxious or polluting matter, waste matter, or trade or sewage effluent):
- Into surface waters, for example, rivers, streams, estuaries, lakes, canals or coastal waters (known as water discharge activities);
- Onto or into the ground, for example, land spreading waste sheep dip, or discharging treated sewage effluent to ground via an infiltration system (known as groundwater activities).
Data update schedule: Quarterly
Nitrate Vulnerable Zone
Areas at risk from agricultural nitrate pollution designated under the EC Nitrate Directive (91/676/EEC). These are areas of land that drain into waters polluted by nitrates. Farmers operating within these areas have to follow mandatory rules to tackle nitrate loss from agriculture.
Data update schedule: Annually