Trees and the Public Realm - Westminster City Council

Trees and the Public Realm (Draft) Page 21
5. URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES
37. The reason for introducing new planting should be understood in its particular urban
context. The presence of trees can have a profound effect on the appearance,
character and function of an area. It is therefore essential that new planting should take
into consideration the original or proposed design intention and the current use of the
location to enable an informed decision.
Soho Square, W1: One of the large planes that give character to the square and its surroundings
38. The following principles provide general advice with regard to site selection. They
should be read in conjunction with the information on townscape areas in Section 4,
which provides detailed advice on the areas of the city that are distinctive in terms of
their coherent architecture, appearance and character.
Composition
39. The overall scene is sometimes referred to a ‘sense of place’ and is meant to
encompass all that is seen and felt. Whether planting a single specimen, a group, or an
avenue of trees, it is important to consider how they will relate to and affect the
surroundings.