Trees and the Public Realm - Westminster City Council

Appendix B - 12
Trees and the Public Realm (Draft)
6 Opportunity Vincent Square
History
The land which now forms the Vincent Square Conservation Area was, as recently as the mid-eighteenth
century, an area of un-enclosed land, known as Tothill Fields. In 1811 Vauxhall Bridge Road laid out as new
approach road to Vauxhall Bridge and the two northern sides of the square were first built up with villas shortly
after. From 1870-1910 a number of hospitals and other institutional buildings constructed in the area,
including New Police Station and Police Court.
Urban character
Vincent Square Conservation Area has a peaceful, predominantly residential character, which contrasts with
the busy streets around. At the heart of the conservation area is the expansive area of green open space
formed by the playing fields, this surrounded by tall mature Plane trees. The size of the space creates a
pleasant, open setting, with many long views into surrounding areas.
Around the perimeter of the square, the townscape has a varied character, with an attractive mix of building
ages and styles. Whilst the area retains a residential feel, there are also a number of larger institutional
buildings and the long historical association with educational, health-related and charitable uses still has an
influence on the area’s character. Busier and more commercial streets form the outside boundaries to the
conservation area.
Trees
Vincent Square consists of the private Westminster School playing field, planted with numerous London
Planes all around its circumference, with some other species interspersed, including sycamore. The green
open space at Vincent Square is particularly important both in terms of visual amenity and as a habitat for
wildlife, as this is one of the few open spaces in this otherwise urban part of Westminster. The Planes form
part of the original design, and as such are historically significant.
On Rochester Row, there are a number of large Plane trees on both sides of the street, which provide a soft
edge to this otherwise busy traffic route.
The streets to the southwest of the square are planted with ornamental Pear trees while elsewhere in the
conservation area are individual examples of Whitebeam.
Photos
Trees outside St Stephen’s Church on Rochester Row
Vincent Square’s mature Planes contribute hugely to the
surrounding properties desirability as residences and
provide a cool oasis in a hard urban area