5: victorian villages - The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
5: victorian villages - The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
5: victorian villages - The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Architectural styles range from simple 1970s<br />
development in pale brick to 1980s <strong>and</strong><br />
1990s neo-Tudor style homes with half<br />
timbering <strong>and</strong> tile hanging. Some plainer<br />
1980s <strong>and</strong> 1990s houses have bay windows<br />
<strong>and</strong> dark stained timber gables contrasting<br />
with pale brick facades. More recent 1990s<br />
neo-classical <strong>and</strong> neo-Georgian development<br />
(in brick <strong>and</strong> stucco) is also characteristic.<br />
Imitation slate or red tile are used for<br />
ro<strong>of</strong>ing materials. <strong>The</strong> ro<strong>of</strong>scape varies<br />
from suburb to suburb.<br />
Large prestigious style dwellings (example from<br />
North Ascot).<br />
Public Realm & Streetscape<br />
Interface between public <strong>and</strong> private realm is<br />
subtly defined, with ‘open plan’ lawned front<br />
gardens <strong>of</strong>ten merging with the streetscape<br />
(pavements <strong>and</strong> verges). Sweeping<br />
driveways, <strong>of</strong>ten paved with modern<br />
interpretations <strong>of</strong> ‘heritage’ paving (e.g.<br />
‘Tegula’ concrete setts <strong>and</strong> cobbles), are also<br />
a notable feature <strong>of</strong> the streetscape gardens.<br />
Street parking is therefore infrequent.<br />
absent. Pavements <strong>and</strong> roads are typically<br />
tarmac, <strong>of</strong>ten with granite sett kerbstones<br />
<strong>and</strong> rumble strip details as part <strong>of</strong> traffic<br />
calming schemes. Elaborate ‘gateway’<br />
signage to streets marks the approach to the<br />
residential estates, with carved slate set in<br />
brick surrounds characteristic. Gated<br />
developments with substantial wrought iron<br />
gates are also typical <strong>of</strong> this townscape type.<br />
Open Space/Greenspace<br />
Mown verges <strong>and</strong> small communal areas <strong>of</strong><br />
amenity planting at ‘gateways’ to (sometimes<br />
gated) communities have an ornamental,<br />
manicured character. <strong>The</strong>se comprise<br />
mown grass, shrubs <strong>and</strong> ornamental tree<br />
species such as rowan <strong>and</strong> cherry. This<br />
ornamental, manicured character sets the<br />
Executive Residential Estates apart from the<br />
Leafy Residential Suburbs.<br />
It is, however, the private gardens which<br />
contribute most to the greenspace within<br />
this type. Front gardens with open lawns,<br />
clipped hedges, ornamental shrubs <strong>and</strong> trees<br />
contribute to a highly manicured character.<br />
Larger native trees in rear gardens are<br />
important components where they occur.<br />
Private gardens contribute to an ornamental,<br />
manicured character, as in this example from North<br />
Ascot.<br />
Views/L<strong>and</strong>marks<br />
Granite sett rumble strips provide detail (North<br />
Ascot).<br />
Street proportions are wide, with generous<br />
grass verges. Street trees are generally<br />
Views are kept short by the curved<br />
character <strong>of</strong> streets <strong>and</strong> the staggered<br />
arrangement <strong>of</strong> buildings. <strong>The</strong> backdrop <strong>of</strong><br />
mature trees, where they occur, form a<br />
backdrop to views. Due to the consistency<br />
in l<strong>and</strong> use <strong>and</strong> urban morphology,<br />
RBWM Townscape Assessment 71 Final Report 2010: Volume 3