Trees and the Public Realm - Westminster City Council

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Trees and the Public Realm (Draft) Appendix B - 9 4 Opportunity Arcadian Victorian Photos This aerial photograph of the Elgin Avenue area of Maida Vale shows what an important part trees play in establishing the character of the area. Canal side planting at Little Venice helps give a cool, natural feel to this part of central London Front Garden Planting in Woronzow Terrace show how mature, private trees of considerable size can contribute to the area’s public character. Planting principles 1. Street trees in this area are of paramount importance to its character – they are a defining feature of these conservation areas. Succession will be carefully planned to ensure continued presence into the future. Avenues will be maintained in a single species. 2. Trees in private front and rear gardens also make a very significant contribution to these conservation areas. Private planting is encouraged, subject to consideration of any issues set out in this document, where relevant.
Appendix B - 10 Trees and the Public Realm (Draft) 5 Opportunity The Riverside Urban character Riverside streets, gardens and walks, and some streets leading up to the embankment. With the exception of the length of the Palace of Westminster, the course of the Thames is followed by a route, called variously Grosvenor Road, Millbank and Victoria Embankment, along its entire length through Westminster. Along its western stretch, large, formal architecture – such as the Tate Gallery, and Thames House face the route and front onto the river. Downstream, the buildings, while still tending to the large, formal and institutional, turn their backs on the river, facing instead onto Whitehall or the Strand. Trees This route is densely planted along its entire length with large London Plane trees, creating a shady riverside walk, and softening the massive architecture that characterises riverfront development. Distributed along the length of the riverside are a number of gardens, from Pimlico Gardens in the west to Victoria Embankment Gardens in the east. Victoria Embankment Gardens were created by Bazalgette in the 1860s as part of a massive civil engineering project that included the reclaiming of 37 acres of tidal riverside for sewers and underground railway tunnels. Over the top of these, the gardens were created for the enjoyment of all, with the last sections laid out in 1875. The gardens contain a much greater variety of trees, although the London Plane remains the principal large species. Smaller species include cherries, laburnum, maples, apples and cypress. There are some private forecourts, for example at the Tate, which contain trees which make a positive contribution to the character of this area. Maintenance of existing trees, as well as planting of new trees should be encouraged in these locations. The other gardens along the riverside – most notably Pimlico Gardens and Victoria Tower Gardens feature far fewer ornamental species, and take the form of lawns surrounded by tall Plane trees. Photos Semi mature Plane trees on Millbank help give the openness of the river a further ‘natural’ dimension, and helps alleviate noise and pollution from the road traffic. Victoria Tower Gardens form a respectful setting for the Palace of Westminster, and a welcome riverside green oasis
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Trees and the Public Realm (Draft)
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Trees and the Public Realm - Westminster City Council

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