Draft Bicester Conservation Area Appraisal November 2009

8.10 Trees, hedges and open spaces 8.11 Key viewsThe green spaces with Bicester providevaluable relief from the densely built towncentre. Notable areas of greenery areGarth Park, the churchyard and cemeteryand the verge and trees at Kings End.While some trees such as those within theformer grounds of Bicester House arecovered by Tree Preservation Orders,trees within Conservation Areas areoffered some protection through theplanning acts. However, the contributionthat some mature trees without TreePreservation Order protection make to thetownscape is immensely valuable. Somesuch tree groups include those in thechurchyard, in Garth Park, within thegrounds of St Edburg’s House, HometreeHouse and those lining the highway vergeat Kings End.Some of the key views are outlinedbelow:-- from Kings End west to Kings End east- from Kings End east to Church Terraceand St. Edburg’s Church- Causeway to Market Square and to St.Edburg’s ChurchThe Causeway looking west- from Market Square to St. Edburg’sChurch- from Market Hill to The Church of theImmaculate Conception- from Sheep Street to The Kings HeadPublic House- from The Pingle to St. Edburg’s Church- from Church Lane to the dovecote- the setting of Bicester House- the setting of The GarthTrees on Kings EndKey views of the Conservation Area frombeyond its boundary which contribute tothe setting of the Conservation Area:-- views north-eastwards across the sportsground from the A421 towards the rearcurtilages of Kings End and ChurchTerrace and to the tower of St. Edburg’sChurch. There are no major eyesores withinthe Conservation Area. However, there aremany individual sites or properties whichdetract from the appearance of theConservation Area.Open space at the Garth is a valuable asset King’s End to church King’s End east31