Catalogue description National Park Policies Review Committee (Sandford Committee): Records

The National Parks Policies Review Committee was appointed in July 1971 by the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales. It was chaired by the Reverend and Right Honourable Lord Sandford who was Joint Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, 1970 to 1973.

Its terms of reference were, 'To review how far the National Parks had fulfilled the purpose for which they were established, to consider the implications of the changes that have occurred, and may be expected, in social and economic conditions and to make recommendations as regards future policies.'

The committee set out to interpret the lessons that were to be drawn since the passing of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and to look ahead and offer advice which would be of relevance over the ensuing quarter of a century.

It held a total of twenty eight meetings and also devoted two weekends to prolonged considerations of its findings. Public meetings were held in each of the ten national parks and discussions were held with the National Park authorities and representatives of local landowners and farmers. Amenity, conservation and recreation organisations of the district councils were also consulted. The committee issued a public invitation for evidence and received submissions from sixty nine organisations including numerous individuals and local bodies. The Countryside Commission did not submit evidence; three members and the director of the commission were also on the committee.

The committee submitted its report in late 1973, but it was not published until 1974.