Trees and the Public Realm - Westminster City Council
Trees and the Public Realm - Westminster City Council
Trees and the Public Realm - Westminster City Council
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<strong>Trees</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Realm</strong> (Draft)<br />
70. If possible, locate trees on <strong>the</strong> boundary line between buildings as this generally avoids<br />
planting trees directly outside <strong>the</strong> windows of habitable rooms in residential buildings.<br />
Avoid planting directly outside doors, gates or entrances onto <strong>the</strong> pavement.<br />
Consultation may be appropriate before taking <strong>the</strong> decision to plant.<br />
Pedestrian safety <strong>and</strong> amenity – Surfaces, allergies, temperatures<br />
71. The primary purpose of <strong>the</strong> street should always be borne in mind – to carry<br />
pedestrians, vehicles <strong>and</strong> services safely. Detailing of paving <strong>and</strong> protection of tree<br />
roots should allow for <strong>the</strong> continued expansion <strong>and</strong> settlement of ground levels around<br />
trees in order to avoid trip hazards in <strong>the</strong> future.<br />
Pimlico, SW1: Neat, safe, maintainable simplicity is achieved by using resin-bound aggregate.<br />
72. Tree guards <strong>and</strong> coverings will be regularly reviewed, <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r similar products will be<br />
trialled <strong>and</strong> considered. These are noted in <strong>the</strong> guidance section of <strong>Westminster</strong> Way,<br />
but <strong>the</strong> preferred option in areas of high pedestrian footfall is to use a permeable resinbound<br />
aggregate matching <strong>the</strong> colour of <strong>the</strong> adjacent paving, to allow pedestrians to<br />
use <strong>the</strong> space <strong>and</strong> facilitate efficient street cleaning.<br />
Services<br />
73. While it is less likely that obstructions or services will be encountered in a park than on<br />
<strong>the</strong> highway, any excavation in <strong>Westminster</strong> should be planned <strong>and</strong> carried out with<br />
caution. A visual appraisal of <strong>the</strong> site will usually give an indication of what services may<br />
lie beneath <strong>the</strong> surface. But <strong>the</strong> absence of above ground apparatus must not be taken<br />
as evidence that no services are present.