Best and most versatile land
Agricultural land is land that is used for rearing livestock and producing crops. It is defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as land that is arable, under permanent crops, and under permanent pastures. Agricultural land covers approximately 38% of the world's land. In the UK it accounts for 70% of the land area. Ref https://tradingeconomics.com/united-kingdom/agricultural-land-percent-of-land-area-wb-data.html
The term ‘agricultural land classification’ (ALC) refers to
‘The system devised and introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to classify agricultural land according to the extent to which its physical or chemical characteristics impose long-term limitations on agricultural use. Land is graded from 1 (excellent quality) to 5 (very poor quality), with grade 3 subdivided into agricultural subgrades 3a and 3b. See ‘Grade 1-5’ and ‘Subgrade 3a and 3b’.
The term ‘best and most versatile land’ refers to:
‘Land defined as grade 1, 2 or 3a of the Agricultural Land Classification. This land is considered the most flexible, productive and efficient and is most capable of delivering crops for food and non-food uses.’
Ref The HS2 London-West Midlands Environmental Statement, published by the Department for Transport in November 2013.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Specifying rendered external wall insulation for fire safety
How to interrogate the evidence provided to the specifier.
The benefits of writing articles for your organisation
How to create a profile for your organisation and publish for free.
No Falls Week. The importance of safe working at height
What to expect and what is on offer to avoid accidents.
Scottish Government action to reach net-zero targets
Retrofit expert group highlight critical actions needed.
A forward thinking, inclusive global community of members.
From engineered product life-spans, to their extension.
Circular economy in the built environment
A brief description from 2021. Where are we now?
Mental Health Awareness Week with ABS
Architects Benevolent Society programme of activity.
CLC publishes domestic retrofit competency framework
Roadmap of Skills for net zero.
May 13-19: Moving more for our mental health.
Understanding is key to conservation.
Open industry engagement survey seeks responses
Institutions and the importance of engagement.
National Retrofit Hub unveils new guide
Digital Building Logbooks and Retrofit: An Introduction.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.