10.01.2015 Views

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

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

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!