Trees and the Public Realm - Westminster City Council

Appendix B - 4
Trees and the Public Realm (Draft)
2 Opportunity Mid - Late 20 th century housing estates
Urban character and trees
North Westminster contains a large number of late twentieth century housing estates, many formed of high
rise flat blocks while others are lower height, lower density estates.
The grounds in which these estates are set are invariably landscaped, to a greater or lesser degree. Some,
like the Wessex Gardens Estate turn their backs on adjacent streets, and contain landscaped lawns within
internal courtyards. Others, such as the Maida Vale estates (Maida Vale, Warwick etc.) are sited in open, park
like grounds.
Tree planting on these sites should generally complement the original design of the estate although there may
be flexibility for unusual species, or changes to their locations, should the original planting schemes be
unclear or no longer fit for purpose.
Any design intent should be respected - considerations of scale and proximity of trees to buildings are
important. Weight should also be placed on the amenity value of trees on these estates. Where there is less
residential amenity inherent in the architectural form of the buildings there may well be scope to use planting
to improve the experience of being in a place.
Residents of these estates will be very well placed to inform planting strategy. Trees that are hindering the fight
against anti-social behaviour and criminal activity (for example those obscuring natural or CCTV surveillance)
will be considered for pruning, and if necessary, removal.
Photos
Wessex Gardens Estate: interior courtyard
Crompton Street: open space plantings (sourced from Google
Street View)
Chichester Road: street plantings (sourced from Google