<strong>Trees</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Realm</strong> (Draft) Appendix B - 25 13 Moderation Victorian <strong>and</strong> Edwardian South <strong>Westminster</strong> Photos Street trees on Ashley Place London Plane trees, Morpeth Terrace
Appendix B - 26 <strong>Trees</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Realm</strong> (Draft) 14 Moderation Planned estates of high architectural quality A variety of estates of 20th Century flats can be found throughout <strong>the</strong> <strong>City</strong> of <strong>Westminster</strong>, but particularly towards <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>and</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn edges. They range from a variety of periods from <strong>the</strong> earliest local authority housing, such as <strong>the</strong> Millbank Estate, to late twentieth century private flats, such as those on <strong>the</strong> Grosvenor Road. Churchill Gardens Churchill Gardens estate was designed in 1945 by architects Powell <strong>and</strong> Moya in response to a local <strong>Council</strong> competition. It was built between 1946 – 1962 <strong>and</strong> received a Festival of Britain merit award, was recognised by RIBA with a design award <strong>and</strong> twice by <strong>the</strong> Civic Trust with <strong>the</strong> 40 year award of awards. The modernist blocks in concrete, steel <strong>and</strong> glass marked a step change with <strong>the</strong> prevailing 'cottage' style of social housing provision which was prevalent before 1939. The buildings are skilfully arranged to allow a light <strong>and</strong> open l<strong>and</strong>scape, despite a high residential density. Although <strong>the</strong> detailing of <strong>the</strong> blocks varies from phase to phase, <strong>the</strong> Estate achieves an overall integrity of design, which is enhanced by <strong>the</strong> sympa<strong>the</strong>tic planting. Tree planting on site should be (<strong>and</strong> is) ordered <strong>and</strong> formal, to complement <strong>the</strong> clean lines <strong>and</strong> uncluttered spaces of <strong>the</strong> modernist design. While <strong>the</strong> arrangement of buildings could in principle accommodate large trees, <strong>the</strong> character of <strong>the</strong> estate is dominated by <strong>the</strong> listed blocks which comm<strong>and</strong> views into <strong>and</strong> across <strong>the</strong> estate. Planting in this area should aim to be subservient to <strong>the</strong> architectural form. Lillington Gardens Lillington Gardens is a high density, medium rise residential development which was commenced in 1961, <strong>and</strong> completed in 1971 to award winning designs by Darbourne <strong>and</strong> Darke. Most of <strong>the</strong> buildings are listed, both <strong>the</strong> surviving Victorian elements, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> twentieth century housing. The estate is characterised by red brick <strong>and</strong> concrete, with each large block broken down into smaller units with a broken skyline, a variety of openings, balconies stepping forward <strong>and</strong> back. Similarly, planting in <strong>the</strong> open spaces within Lillington Gardens is informal <strong>and</strong> lively. Around <strong>the</strong> l<strong>and</strong>scaped lawns are a variety of species, including colourful ornamental trees <strong>and</strong> shrubs. Species represented include hornbeam, silver birch, rowan <strong>and</strong> cherry. Planting in <strong>the</strong>se courtyards is relatively dense, creating green oases away from <strong>the</strong> hard townscapes of Vauxhall Bridge Road <strong>and</strong> Tachbrook Street. The gardens have been well managed to suit modern day needs <strong>and</strong> have been successful in gaining an annual Green Flag Award in recent years, demonstrating <strong>the</strong> high st<strong>and</strong>ard of design <strong>and</strong> management. Page Street The Page Street estate by Edwin Lutyens dates from 1928-30, <strong>and</strong> is listed grade II. The white rendered chequerboard elevations of <strong>the</strong>se large tenement blocks form a familiar l<strong>and</strong>mark in this o<strong>the</strong>rwise low-rise part of south <strong>Westminster</strong>. The courtyards within <strong>the</strong> blocks, opening onto Page Street are planted with a mixture of trees <strong>and</strong> shrubs, behind dwarf walls or railings. These planting schemes offer nei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> formal arrangement of trees that would complement <strong>the</strong> rectilinear designs of <strong>the</strong> blocks, nor an informal l<strong>and</strong>scaped space.
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