Trees and the Public Realm - Westminster City Council

Trees and the Public Realm (Draft) Page 5
Foreword
The City of Westminster lies at the heart of the nation’s capital and its trees in the public
realm make a significant contribution to London’s reputation as one of the world’s
greenest cities. Beyond aesthetics, trees also make environmental contributions to our
city – they sequester carbon dioxide and release oxygen, shade buildings and streets,
and provide a psychological link to nature by signifying the change in seasons and the
passage of time.
This is a draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) that has been developed as
part of the council’s Local Development Framework (LDF). It is intended to define the
council’s approach towards the planting of trees in the public realm and seeks to
ensure that the city maintains its tree cover and increases it wherever practically
possible with due regard to the townscape principles set out in this document .
Together with the council’s existing guidance ‘Trees and Other Planting on
Development Sites’ these two documents form Westminster’s overall Tree Strategy.
This document also establishes the basis for working with partner organisations
including Royal Parks Agency, Transport for London, English Heritage, the amenity
societies, residents and businesses – all of whom have important roles to play in
achieving the council’s goal to improve Westminster’s environment. Together we will
ensure that Westminster’s tree stock is planted in accordance with contemporary
arboricultural best practice, and with careful consideration of its relationship with
townscape, amenity and biodiversity.
Councillor Robert Davis DL
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Built Environment