Trees and the Public Realm - Westminster City Council

Trees and the Public Realm (Draft) Page 7
1. INTRODUCTION
1. Trees were formally introduced into British streets approximately 250 years ago. This is
in contrast to a long tradition of urbanisation that started in Westminster in the 6 th
Century AD. The development of garden squares in the mid 18 th century, the
subsequent adoption of the French concept of boulevards, the evolution of the
arcadian suburb from the 1830s, together with evolving styles and approaches to
residential amenity, all emphasised the important role of and desire for trees in
Westminster.
2. Trees are therefore now, in most cases, an integral and historic component of
Westminster’s townscape. Their appearance adds to local character, helping to define
a sense of place, and softening the built environment, contributing to our physical,
cultural and spiritual well being. Their amenity and biodiversity value together with their
positive contribution to many other environmental issues is great. They need to be
carefully managed, and new trees planted, to ensure appropriate succession so that
future generations can continue to enjoy Westminster’s green legacy. Management of
the tree stock is key to ensuring that important views are not hidden, to reduce conflicts
with pedestrians and vehicles on the highway, and to minimise potential to exacerbate
subsidence to buildings. This document, alongside other relevant policy, puts trees
and their relationship with Westminster’s built environment into context.
The Mall’s avenue of London plane trees: The right trees in the right place
3. Westminster City Council currently manages about 15,000 trees (of which
approximately 7,500 are street trees), and many more exist in private ownership.
Although many of our streets have been planted the council will investigate any new
requests for tree planting on public land with a view to increasing the public stock in a
coherent way according to the principles set out in this document. We will also