Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Townscape Assessment Volume 2: Windsor Group

June 2010 Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Townscape Assessment Volume 2: Windsor Group

Final Evaluation Report for The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead by Land Use Consultants

ROYAL BOROUGH OF WINDSOR AND MAIDENHEAD TOWNSCAPE ASSESSMENT:

Final Report

Volume 2: Windsor Group

Prepared for The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead by Land Use Consultants

June 2010

43 Chalton Street London NW1 1JD Tel: 020 7383 5784 Fax: 020 7383 4798 [email protected]

CONTENTS 1. Introduction ...... 1 Background...... 1 Purpose and Scope ...... 1 Methodology ...... 2 Report Structure...... 6 2. Townscape Classification...... 7 Townscape Types...... 7 Townscape Character Areas...... 11 3. Description & Evaluation of the Borough’s Settlements: Windsor Group...... 17 Datchet...... 19 Eton & Eton Wick...... 23 Old Windsor...... 29 Windsor ...... 33 Wraysbury ...... 40 4. Description & Evaluation by Townscape Type...... 45 Town Historic Cores ………………………………………………………………………………… 47 Historic Town Fringes ……………………………………………………………………………………. 57 Historic Village Cores …………………………………………………………………………………... 65 Georgian Suburbs ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 73 Victorian Villages …………………………………………………………………………………………… 79 Victorian and Edwardian Suburbs ……………………………………………………………………… 89 Inter-War Suburbs ………………………………………………………………………………………..... 97 Early Post War Suburbs (To 1960) …………………………………………………………………… 105 Late 20th Century Suburbs (1960s Onwards) ………………………………………………………113 Post War Residential Flats …………………………………………………………………………….123 Executive Residential Estates …………………………………………………………………………131 Leafy Residential Suburbs ………………………………………………………………………………. 137 Villas in a Woodland Setting ……………………………………………………………………………. 145 Collegiate …………………………………………………………………………………………………….153 Large Institutional Developments ………………………………………………………………………159 Industrial and Commercial Estates ……………………………………………………………………..167 5. Using the Assessment ...... 173

APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Glossary

i Appendix 2: Field Survey Form

RBWM Townscape Assessment ii Final Report 2010: Volume 2

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. In May 2008, Land Use Consultants was commissioned by The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) to undertake a Townscape Assessment of the Royal Borough’s towns and larger villages. Townscape refers to the urban form and character of a built up area. 1.2. The information contained in this study provides a deeper understanding of the local townscape. It describes how the towns and larger villages evolved, what they are like, and how they can be managed to respond to their local context and enhance local distinctiveness.

BACKGROUND 1.3. The planning process plays an important role in delivering development that is complementary to the local environment. The need to ensure good design is widely recognised both nationally and locally. 1.4. The study has been prepared in response to the growing recognition of the value of townscape assessments as a basis for effective planning and management of built-up areas. Townscape assessment is a tool that provides an objective, structured approach to identify and classify the distinctive character of urban areas. 1.5. The impetus for this study has come from a number of sources:

A key objective of national policy is that developments respond to their local context and create and reinforce local distinctiveness. Design which is inappropriate to its context, or which fails to take opportunities available for improving the character and quality of an area or the way it functions should not be allowed.

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) state that planning policy should ensure developments are designed for place, based on an understanding and evaluation of an area’s defining characteristics.

The Royal Borough is experiencing regeneration and development pressures which is increasingly leading to proposals for higher density development, often flatted in nature. Currently, 90% of housing development is achieved on previously developed sites within urban areas, bringing a focus on potential impacts on local character.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE 1.6. The overall purpose of the study is to provide a more detailed understanding of the character and composition of the built environment. Key objectives of the study include:

RBWM Townscape Assessment 1 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 To provide a factual description of townscape for the Royal Borough’s towns and larger settlements, including their evolution, pressures for change and the likely positive and negative effects of change on the underlying character.

To define broad generic townscape character types and character areas.

To inform of the implications of different types, forms and densities of development on townscape character and sense of place.

To improve development decisions by defining broad principles for integrating development within each townscape character type and area, including if appropriate the identification of areas where development would be harmful to townscape quality.

To give confidence to landowners, developers and residents of design expectations.

To identify improvements to townscape that could enhance the enjoyment of the area by the local community and visitors. 1.7. The study provides a 1:10,000 scale characterisation and evaluation of the settlements excluded from the Green Belt, namely Ascot, Cookham Rise, Cookham Village, Datchet, Eton, Eton Wick, Maidenhead, North Ascot, Old Windsor, South Ascot, Sunningdale, Sunninghill, Windsor and Wraysbury. The study area, showing the location of these settlements in relation to the Green Belt is presented in Figure 1.1.

METHODOLOGY 1.8. The study’s methodlogy has been adapted from the approach to ‘Town Design Statements’1. The approach is also influenced by several other related areas including the principles contained in English Heritage’s Guidance on Conservation Area Appraisals (which can be applicable to areas outside conservation areas), as well as past townscape character appraisals (for example the ‘Character Assessment of Oxford in its Landscape Setting’2) and urban design guidance, including CABE’s ‘Buildings and Spaces: why design matters’3 which pushes for stronger recognition of design quality in policy formulation, English Partnership’s ‘Urban Design Compendium’4 which covers good urban design principles, and the recent document ‘Placemaking’5 which focuses on the design of buildings, groups of buildings, streets, spaces and landscapes.

1 The Countryside Agency (2003) Town Design Statements: Why and how to produce them, Countryside Publications. 2 Land Use Consultants (2002) A Character Assessment of Oxford in its Landscape Setting. 3 Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) (2006) Buildings and Spaces: why design matters, URL: http://www.cabe.org.uk/AssetLibrary/6620.pdf (accessed on 30th June, 2008). 4 English Partnerships (2007) Urban Design Compendium, URL: http://www.urbandesigncompendium.co.uk (accessed on 30th June, 2008). 5 Resource for Urban Design Information (2008) Placemaking, URL: http://www.rudi.net/files/placemaking-web- lo.pdf (accessed on 30th June, 2008).

RBWM Townscape Assessment 2 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 RBWM Townscape Assessment

Volume 2 Cookham Figure 1.1: Study Area

Cookham Rise Key

Settlement boundary

RBWM boundary

Green Belt

Maidenhead

Eton Wick

Eton

Datchet

Windsor

Wraysbury

Old Windsor

North Ascot 0241km

Ascot 1:85,000 at A3 Source: RBWM, South Ascot Sunningdale

Sunninghill Date: 11/02/2009

Revision: A

1.9. The methodology draws upon a two-stage approach of characterisation and evaluation. This is described in further detail below.

Approach to Part 1: Characterisation 1.10. The characterisation stage involves developing an understanding of each settlement in terms of its setting, physical influences, evolution and urban structure. From this informed position, broad area of common character can be identified and mapped.

Physical Influences and Landscape Setting 1.11. Physical influences (such as geology, topography and drainage) may determine the growth and appearance of a settlement. It is also important to understand how the settlement relates to its landscape context. The section on physical influences provides a description of the location and setting of the town or village and its relationship to underlying geology and its landscape context. The Landscape Character Assessment for the Royal Borough (LCA)6 provides detailed information about the landscape in between the Royal Borough’s settlements and this has been used to describe the landscape setting to settlements. This section is informed by geology datasets in addition to the LCA. Reference is also made where more information may be found.

Evolution of the Settlements 1.12. In order to understand the evolution of the settlements, episodes of growth have been mapped using historic epoch maps. The results of the epoch mapping are presented in Chapter 3. 1.13. Conservation Area appraisals and publications were used to summarise the evolution of the settlements to aid an understanding of settlement structure and form.

Urban Structure 1.14. The urban structure of each settlement has been identified in terms of historic gateways, landmarks, nodes and key views, to provide context to the more detailed townscape typology within each settlement. Historic gateways = the main point of entrance and arrival at the historic centre of a settlement - these indicate the principal approaches to the historic centre, as shown on the ‘Old Series’ Ordnance Survey Map data (1822). Landmarks = prominent structures or geographical features that identify a location and contribute positively to the townscape. These are often used to navigate by. Nodes = distinct points within the structure of a settlement which may be important historic junctions where important routes come together (for example an historic junction or intersection marked by a market cross or milestone), or places of particular importance where people congregate e.g. market/urban square or village green.

6 LDA, 2004 Landscape Character Assessment for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

RBWM Townscape Assessment 3 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Key views = the most important views within the urban area (usually of landmark features). Key views may also be from the town looking out to the surrounding landscape, or from the surrounding landscape looking towards the urban area if they are particularly important to the understanding of the urban structure of the townscape. Key views should be important at the strategic level i.e. key views will not include individual views of local interest or of minor landmarks, for example some of those are identified within more detailed individual Conservation Area appraisals.

Values 1.15. Information on what is valued about each settlement was gathered from stakeholders during a workshop event held on 23rd September 2008. This is presented under a sub-heading ‘values’ for each settlement.

Townscape Classification 1.16. The aim of the classification was to identify consistent townscape character types and, within these, local character areas.

Townscape Type = distinct type of townscape that is relatively homogeneous in character. Townscape types are generic in nature in that they may occur in different settlements across the Borough, but share broadly similar combinations of land use, morphology and building types.

Townscape Character Area = single unique area that is a discrete geographical area of a particular townscape type.

1.17. The classification of townscape types and character areas involved interrogation of a number of datasets, namely:

historic mapping (from the British Library);

land use data (from Local Plan Proposals Maps – local centres, employment areas, industrial sites);

underlying physical data on geology, topography and drainage and flooding (Environment Agency Flood Map, Flood Zone 3). 1.18. The classification was been undertaken at a scale of 1:10,000 i.e. large enough to reveal detail on urban grain and street/block patterns, but small enough to allow coverage of all of the Royal Borough’s urban areas. 1.19. The classification identifies ‘areas’ or ‘neighbourhoods’ of consistent character, rather than classifying individual buildings or sites. For example, schools, churches and open spaces have generally been classified as part of the neighbourhood in which they occur – these features are usually consistent with the age of the built development surrounding these features. Anomalies in a townscape type or character area, such as small redevelopment sites, are generally classified as part of their surroundings.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 4 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

For example, the flatted development at ‘Ascot Towers’ comprises a redeveloped plot in the ‘Villas in a Woodland Setting’ townscape type. Because the plot retains many features of the ‘Villas in a Woodland Setting’ it is classified as part of this type, rather than ‘Post War Residential Flats’. However, where redevelopment sites are of a sufficient size, and the urban structure has been changed unrecognisably from their former appearance (e.g. Ward Royal in Windsor) these areas have been classified as a separate type. The aim in all cases is to identify townscape types/areas where guidance for built development or enhancement of the townscape would be consistent throughout that type/area.

Character Description 1.20. Townscape types form the main unit for the character description. Generic townscape character information is presented under the following headings for each townscape type:

Key characteristics – an ‘at a glance’ summary;

Location/distribution of type – an opportunity to explain the distribution of the type within that particular settlement;

Physical influences – the influence that underlying geology and topography have on the townscape type;

Human influences – evidence of evolution of the urban form, and period of predominant character;

Townscape character – this is presented under a number of sub-headings and forms the ‘meat’ of the description of townscape character. 1.21. Additional information is presented at the character area level, drawing out any particular differences between the character areas, and special features that require different treatment from the generic townscape type.

Approach to Part 2: Evaluation 1.22. The approach to the evaluation includes evaluation at the settlement level, and evaluation at the character type level. In developing the evaluation we have been mindful of the need to take account of the requirements of the European Landscape Convention (ELC). 1.23. The evaluation at the settlement level identifies guidance/opportunities for enhancement, focusing on relationship of the settlement to its landscape setting and urban structure. 1.24. A more detailed evaluation at the character type has also been undertaken. This includes:

Condition – commenting on the condition/quality of the townscape;

Forces for Change – documenting forces for change acting on the townscape;

RBWM Townscape Assessment 5 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Guidance/Opportunities - includes recommendations for managing change, whilst conserving and enhancing sense of place, and includes design principles for development and opportunities for townscape enhancement.

REPORT STRUCTURE 1.25. The study is divided into three volumes to reflect geographical areas as follows:

Volume 1: Maidenhead and Cookham Areas;

Volume 2: Windsor Group (comprising Datchet, Eton/Eton Wick, Old Windsor, Windsor and Wraysbury);

Volume 3: Ascot Group (comprising Ascot/ North Ascot, Sunningdale and Sunninghill/South Ascot). 1.26. This volume (Volume 2: Windsor Group) is divided into five chapters:

Chapter 1 presents the background to the study, and sets out the methodology used;

Chapter 2 presents the results of the townscape classification for the Borough;

Chapter 3 provides an introduction to the settlements within the relevant settlement group (each considered in alphabetical order);

Chapter 4 presents the townscape type and townscape character area descriptions for the Windsor Group; and

Chapter 5 provides a guide on using the assessment. 1.27. A glossary of terms is provided in Appendix 1.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 6 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

2. TOWNSCAPE CLASSIFICATION

2.1. The aim of the classification is to divide the Borough’s urban areas into consistent townscape character types and, within these, geographically specific local character areas.

TOWNSCAPE TYPES 2.2. Townscape types are generic in nature in that they may occur in different settlements, but share broadly similar combinations of land use, morphology and building types. 2.3. The Royal Borough contains seventeen distinct townscape types. Table 2.1 provides a list, and brief description, of each townscape type while Figure 2.1 shows their distribution. Table 2.1: Townscape Types within RBWM

Townscape Type Summary Description 1. Historic Town Cores Historic Town Cores are based on the extent of the town up to 1800, but also including redevelopment up to the present day, often originating around a church or market place, or on a strategic coaching road route or river crossing point. A high density, tight grained urban environment with relatively small scale (2-3 storey) buildings set on narrow plots. Vernacular materials and harmonious, if eclectic form, drawn tight to street frontages. Irregular networks of streets and lanes. 2. Historic Town Fringes Historic Town Fringes are the areas bordering the Historic Town Cores that were developed after 1800, up to the late 19th Century. These areas often include Victorian infrastructure and substantial Victorian, and later, redevelopment of a larger scale than the historic core. Extensive redevelopment is a key characteristic, as are infill and backland development, which has ignored the historic spatial scale. Features such as ring roads and railway stations are often evident. 3. Historic Village Cores Historic Village Cores form the historic core of villages, usually associated with a village church, green or common. The type includes extent of development shown on the 1816-1822 Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales7.

7 Ordnance Survey (1816-1822) Ordnance Survey of England and Wales, 1 Inch to 1 Mile, Sheet 7 (1822) and 8 (1816).

RBWM Townscape Assessment 7 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Townscape Type Summary Description 4. Georgian Suburbs Georgian Suburbs form some of the earliest suburbs outside the historic town cores, typically built between c1720 and the mid 19th century. The townscape is defined by 2-3 storey brick townhouses (terraced or semi-detached) in a plain but elegant, often severe classical idiom. Buildings are characterised by their symmetry and regularity of detail including, sash windows with glazing bars, cast iron verandas, moulded porches and decorative front doors with intricate fan lights above. Later buildings (Regency) are usually more decorative with moulded stucco exteriors. 5. Victorian Villages Victorian Villages arose as a result of the development of Victorian infrastructure such as the railways and are often in close proximity to railway stations. They were built relatively rapidly between c.1837-1910 and as such display a unified architectural style. The principal village streets tend to have larger properties with commercial/retail function while the residential side streets are usually more unified with regular terraces of 2 storey brick built cottages. These villages also include schools, churches and public houses that were constructed in the same period. 6. Victorian and Edwardian Suburbs Victorian and Edwardian Suburbs are medium-high density suburbs consisting of terraces and semi detached Victorian houses on a grid street pattern. They were built relatively rapidly between c.1837-1910 and as such display a unified architectural style. The principal streets tend to have larger properties and street trees, while the residential side streets are usually more unified with regular terraces of 2 storey brick built cottages. These residential suburbs also include schools, parks, churches and public houses that were constructed in the same period. 7. Victorian and Edwardian Victorian and Edwardian Riverside Villa Suburbs are low Riverside Villa Suburbs density suburbs consisting of large Victorian/Edwardian dwellings alongside the River Thames, set back from the road in large well wooded plots with ornamental species/parkland exotics (such as Lebanon Cedar). Buildings are typically Arts and Crafts inspired or Jacobean revival in style and display a range of ornate façade features such as half timbering, carved gables, patterned polychrome brick detailing, stucco, and elaborate cupolas and chimneys. 8. Inter-war Suburbs Inter-war Suburbs are residential estates of two storey semi- detached houses and bungalows dating from between 1918 and 1939, influenced by the garden city movement. The suburbs comprise wide, generously proportioned curvilinear streets and cul-de-sacs with a leafy character due to short, well vegetated front gardens bounded by ornamental, low boundary walls/fences and clipped hedges. Houses often display a unified style with pebble dashed and/or tile hung facades, gables to main facades, bay/bow windows, recessed arched porches and leaded lights/stained glass. The type also includes schools and public open space that were created as part of the estates. 9. Post War Suburbs (to 1960) Post War Suburbs (to 1960) are residential estates containing short terraces or semi detached houses built between 1940 and 1960, typically at a relatively high

RBWM Townscape Assessment 8 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

density. The street pattern is characterised by curvilinear streets with dead-ends branching off and buildings are defined by simple, plain semi-detached and terraced two storey houses built of dark, wire cut or ‘drag faced brick’ (often in stretcher bond as facing for cheaper blockwork construction), with simple fenestration e.g. metal casement windows. Short front gardens are often defined by chain link fencing with reinforced concrete posts. The type also includes schools and public open space that were created as part of the estates. 10. Late 20th Century Suburbs Late 20th Century Suburbs (1960s onwards) are residential (1960s onwards) estates containing short terraces or semi detached houses built post 1960, typically at a relatively high density. The street pattern tends to be more organic in layout with many cul de sacs and dead ends. Buildings are often on staggered or irregular plots, and buildings are defined by a lighter material palette including red and pale yellow/calcium silicate bricks, often with feature painted timber cladding and large ‘picture windows’. Decorative stone cladding and long shallow pitched roofs are often characteristic, as are more open garden boundary treatments. The type also includes schools and public open space that were created as part of the estates. 11. Post War Residential Flats This type is united by the ‘flatted’ nature of the development. In the Royal Borough, this type typically comprises low rise flats (typically 4-5 storeys) set within large plots. The architectural style varies, from simple 1950s-70s blocks to more elaborate modern developments. Newer developments are often on ‘gateway’ sites such as roundabouts on the edges of towns. 12. ‘Executive’ Residential Estates ‘Executive’ Residential Estates are low density residential estates of large detached houses in spacious plots, typically dating from the 1970s or later. The type is defined by large ‘executive style’ detached homes, often of double fronted form with double garages, set in large irregular plots with open, lawned front gardens and sweeping drives paved in concrete block work or tarmac. The houses are clearly visible from the road with mown grass verges characteristic. This type is stylistically eclectic, ranging from late 1970s houses of simple architectural style to more recent ‘pastiche’ style development. Gated communities are also distinctive of this type. 13. Leafy Residential Suburbs Leafy Residential Suburbs are low density residential suburbs comprising large detached houses in spacious irregular well treed plots, typically dating from the early 20th Century to the present day. The type is defined by large properties set well back from the road, behind dense/high ornamental hedges with gravel drives and gates. These suburbs are neat, manicured and managed, with a private character including private roads and gated communities. Some distinctive building styles are evident including early 20th Century ‘Arts and Crafts’ architecture, although larger, more modern properties are also present. 14. Villas in a Woodland Setting Areas of ‘Villas in a Woodland Setting’ are particularly notable for their extremely low density and wooded setting resulting in a semi-rural character. Extremely large villas are located in spacious plots with long drives and

RBWM Townscape Assessment 9 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 security gates. The narrow rural lanes and unmade/private roads amongst woodland contribute to the semi-rural character. Thick vegetation, close board fencing and brick walls prevent views into the individual plots. This type is similar in character to the leafy residential suburbs type, although with larger properties, a less ‘managed’ character, and a sense of organic rather than planned evolution. A range of building styles is evident, although the older Victorian villas are particularly distinctive, with ornate features such as carved gables, patterned polychrome brick detailing, and elaborate roofs incorporating cupolas and chimneys. 15. Collegiate The ‘Collegiate’ type is characterised by its unique land use. It comprises large scale college buildings, often set within large gardens with integrated courtyards, quadrangles and green spaces. Cast iron railings and brick walls are features of the streetscape. Buildings are of various ages, styles and materials, but include a number of buildings of specific historic and architectural interest. 16. Large Institutional This type includes large scale institutional developments Developments where large scale buildings are set within private grounds, e.g. hospitals, barracks and racecourses. The buildings are mainly 19th/20th Century in date. 17. Industrial and Commercial This type includes industrial estates and business/retail Estates parks. The type comprises large scale late 20th Century buildings, many of which are simple metal clad sheds (2 commercial storeys) surrounded by car parking, service yards and ornamental landscaping.

2.4. It should be noted that the use of the term ‘suburb’ has been applied to both towns and villages. Although it is acknowledged the term ‘suburb’ may not be fully appropriate to all villages, it has been retained as the most appropriate proxy within a strategic study.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 10 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 RBWM Townscape Assessment

Volume 2 Cookham Figure 2.1: Overview of Townscape Classification

Cookham Rise Key

Settlement boundary

RBWM boundary

Townscape Assessment

1. Historic Town Cores

Maidenhead 2. Historic Town Fringes 3. Historic Village Cores 4. Georgian Suburbs 5. Victorian Villages 6. Victorian and Edwardian Suburbs Eton Wick 7. Victorian/Edwardian and Riverside Villa Suburbs Eton 8. Inter War Suburbs

Datchet 9. Post War Suburbs (to 1960) 10. Late 20th Century Suburbs Windsor (1960s onwards) 11. Post War Residential Flats 12. ‘Executive’ Residential Estates Wraysbury 13. Leafy Residential Suburbs Old Windsor 14. Villas in a Woodland Setting 15. Collegiate 16. Large Institutional Development 17. Industrial and Commercial Estates

North Ascot 0241km

Ascot 1:85,000 at A3 Source: RBWM, South Ascot Sunningdale

Sunninghill Date: 11/02/2009

Revision: A

TOWNSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS 2.5. Townscape character areas are unique geographical areas of a particular townscape type. The following table provides a summary of the constituent townscape character areas within each townscape type for the Windsor Area. 2.6. The locations of individual character areas are shown on the classification map for each settlement, accompanying Chapter 3. Table 2.2: Townscape Character Areas within RBWM: Windsor Group

Townscape Type Component Character Areas 1. Town Historic Cores 1A Eton 1B Windsor 2. Town Historic Fringes 2A Windsor 3. Historic Village Cores 3A Datchet 3B Clewer, Windsor 3C Wraysbury 4. Georgian Suburbs 4A Kings Road, Windsor 4B Clarence Crescent, Windsor 5. Victorian Villages 5A Eton Wick 5B Old Windsor 5C St Leonard’s Road, ‘Spital’, Windsor 5D Clewer Green and Clewer New Town, Windsor 5E Dedworth, Windsor 5F Wraysbury 6. Victorian and Edwardian Suburbs 6A Slough Road, Datchet 6B Buccleuch Road, Datchet 6C Montagu Road, Datchet 6D Horton Road, Datchet 6E Alma Road, Eton Wick 6F Tangier Lane, Eton 6G Meadow Lane, Eton 6H Inner Windsor 6I Arthur Road and Bexley Street, Windsor 6J Kings Road, Windsor 6K Springfield Road, Windsor 6L Maidenhead Road, Windsor 7. Victorian and Edwardian N/A Riverside Villa Suburbs 8. Inter-war Suburbs 8A Castle Avenue, Datchet 8B Horton Road, Datchet 8C Leigh Park, Datchet 8D Lawn Close - Fairfield, Datchet 8E Tilstone Avenue, Eton Wick 8F Queens Road, Eton Wick 8G Bell Lane, Eton Wick 8H Eton Wick Road 8I Straight Road and Church Road, Old Windsor 8J College Crescent, Windsor

RBWM Townscape Assessment 11 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Townscape Type Component Character Areas 8K Clarence Road, Windsor 8L Clewer Avenue, Windsor 8M Clewer New Town, Windsor 8N Maidenhead Road and Buckland Crescent, Windsor 8O St Andrew’s Crescent and Kentons Lane, Windsor 8P Clewer Green, Windsor 8Q Woodland Avenue and Sherbourne Drive, Windsor 8R Harcourt Road, Windsor 8S Dedworth Village, Windsor 8T Coppice Drive, Wraysbury 8U Fairfield Approach, Wraysbury 8V Douglas Lane, Wraysbury 9. Post War Suburbs (to 1960) 9A Fairfield and Montrose, Datchet 9B Boveney New Road, Eton Wick 9C Princes Close, Eton Wick 9D Haywards Mead, Eton Wick 9E Sommerville Road, Eton Wick 9F Church Road, Old Windsor 9G Central Old Windsor 9H Kingsbury Drive, Old Windsor 9I Wood Close, Windsor 9J Bulkeley Avenue and Springfield Road, Windsor 9K Maidenhead Road, Windsor 9L Vale Road, Windsor 9M Dedworth Drive, Windsor 9N Perrycroft, Windsor 9O Keepers Farm Close, Windsor 9P Gratton Drive, Windsor

10. Late 20th Century Suburbs 10A Ruscombe Gardens – Gables Close, Datchet (1960s onwards) 10B Beaulieu Close 10C Queens Road/Manor House Lane, Datchet 10D Green Lane, Datchet 10E Priory Way, Datchet 10F Cornwall Close, Eton Wick 10G Sheepcote Road, Eton Wick 10H Bunces Close, Eton Wick 10I Stonebridge Field, Eton Wick 10J Eton Square, Eton 10K William Ellis Close, Old Windsor 10L St Andrews Close, Old Windsor 10M Newton Court, Old Windsor 10N Ashbrook Road and Walpole Road, Old Windsor 10O Saxon Way and Meadow Close, Old Windsor 10P Old Windsor Riverside 10Q Chaucer Close and Edinburgh Gardens, Windsor 10R Fountain Gardens, Windsor 10S Wood Close, Windsor

RBWM Townscape Assessment 12 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

Townscape Type Component Character Areas 10T Nightingale walk, Windsor 10U Princess Avenue, Windsor 10V Goslar Way, Windsor 10W Imperial Road, Windsor 10X Clewer New Town, Windsor 10Y The Rectory, Windsor 10Z Clewer Park, Windsor 10AA Hatch Lane, Windsor 10AB Tyrell Gardens, Windsor 10AC Ellison Close 10AD Illingworth, Windsor 10AE Park Corner and Forster Avenue, Windsor 10AF Priors Road and Poolmans Road, Windsor 10AG White Horse Road and Hemwood Road, Windsor 10AH Tinkers Lane, Windsor 10AI Gally’s Road and Ruddlesway, Windsor 10AJ Long Mead and Aston Mead, Windsor 10AK Broom Farm Estate, Windsor 10AL Old School Court, Wraysbury 10AM House Close, Wraysbury 10AN Bowry Drive, Wraysbury 10AO Harcourt and Poulcott, Wraysbury 10AP Grange Close, Wraysbury 11. Post War Residential Flats 11A Holmlea Walk, Datchet 11B New Road, Datchet 11C Lawn Close, Datchet 11D Eton Wick 11E Eton 11F Lynwood Drive, Old Windsor 11G Ward Royal, Central Windsor 11H Fountain Gardens, Windsor 11I Osborne Court, Windsor 11J Lammas Court, Windsor 11K Clarence Road / Goslar Way, Windsor 11L Albert Street, Windsor 11M Clewer Village, Windsor 11N Longbourn Estate, Windsor 11O Hanover Way, Windsor 11P Winwood Estate, Windsor 11Q Manor Farm Close, Windsor 12. ‘Executive’ Residential Estates 12A Queens Acre, Windsor 12B Chestnut Drive, Windsor 12C Fairlawn Park, Windsor 12D Wilton Crescent, Windsor 13. Leafy Residential Suburbs 13A Eton Road – Slough Road, Datchet 13B Windsor Road, Datchet 13C Montagu Road (Lower), Datchet 13D Horton Road, Datchet

RBWM Townscape Assessment 13 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Townscape Type Component Character Areas 13E Slough Road (Lower), Datchet 13F The Friary, Old Windsor 13G Ouseley Road, Old Windsor 13H Peeling Hill, Old Windsor 13I Osborne Road and Alma Road, Windsor 13J Bolton Avenue and Bolton Crescent, Windsor 13K Parsonage Lane, Windsor 13L Imperial Road, Windsor 13M Winkfield Road, Windsor 13N St Leonard’s Hill, Windsor 13O Wraysbury Riverside and Friary Island 13P Ouseley Road and Wharf Road, Wraysbury 13Q Welley Road, Wraysbury 13R Station Road, Wraysbury 14. Villas in a Woodland Setting 14A Burfield Road, Old Windsor 14B Queen Anne’s Road and Kings Road, Windsor 14C Garson Lane, Wraysbury 15. Collegiate 15A Eton

16. Large Institutional 16A Victoria Barracks, Windsor Developments 16B Combermere Barracks, Windsor 16C King Edward II Hospital 16D The Princess Margaret Hospital 16E Alma Road, Windsor 16F St John Ambulance, Maidenhead Road 17. Industrial and Commercial 17A Datchet Rail Sidings Estates 17B Inner Windsor 17C Maidenhead Road, Windsor 17D Dedworth Road, Windsor

RBWM Townscape Assessment 14 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

RBWM Townscape Assessment 15 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

3. DESCRIPTION & EVALUATION OF THE BOROUGH’S SETTLEMENTS: WINDSOR GROUP

3.1. This chapter provides an overview of each settlement in the Windsor group (in alphabetical order) in terms of: Physical Influences and Landscape Setting: a brief assessment of the underlying geology and topographical features which contribute to the settlement’s distinctive landscape setting. Evolution of the Settlement: showing historic episodes of growth accompanied by a brief summary of the evolution of each settlement. Below is a generic key for all of the maps in this section.

Urban Structure: a description of urban structure including nodes, landmarks, historic gateways and key views. Values: valued features/ characteristics identified by the local community at a stakeholder workshop held on 23rd September 2008. Guidance/opportunities: recommended principles which, if followed, would help ensure new development and change integrates successfully with the existing character. Townscape Classification: an objective classification of the settlement’s townscape into townscape types and character areas at a scale of 1:10,000. 3.2. Figure 3.1 shows the settlements in relation to underlying solid and drift geology, as well as the location of the settlements in relation to the Environment Agency’s flood zones.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 17 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

RBWM Townscape Assessment 18 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 RBWM Townscape Assessment

Cookham Volume 2 Figure 3.1: Settlements in Relation to Underlying Geology and Environment Agency Floodrisk Zones Cookham Rise Key

Settlement boundary

RBWM boundary

Solid geology

Maidenhead Bagshot beds Chalk London clay Reading beds

Drift geology

Eton Wick Alluvium and River Gravels

Eton Plateau Gravels

Environment Agency Floodrisk zones Datchet Flood zone 3 (high risk) Windsor Flood zone 2 (low to medium risk)

Wraysbury

Old Windsor

North Ascot 0241km

Ascot 1:85,000 at A3

Source: RBWM, Environment Agency, BGS

South Ascot Sunningdale Date: 11/02/2009 Sunninghill Revision: A

DATCHET

Physical Influences and Landscape Setting 3.3. Datchet lies within the Thames Valley floodplain, on a bedrock geology of London Clay and Reading Beds which is overlain with deposits of alluvial sands and river gravels. The settlement is within JCA 115 Thames Valley8, and partially within the Environment Agency’s flood zones. 3.4. Datchet evolved from a historic crossing point on the River Thames, which provides a unique riverside setting to the town. Waterlogged pastoral fields beside the River Thames dominate to the landscape setting of Datchet – this landscape forms part of the Settled Farmed Floodplain landscape type in the LCA. Beyond to the west is the historic landscape of Windsor Home Park whose historic tree lined avenues forms a distinctive element of the landscape setting – this landscape forms part of the Farmed Parkland landscape type and includes parkland areas associated with the medieval Royal Hunting Forest of Windsor. Windsor castle sits on a prominent chalk outcrop west of Datchet. Bordering the east of Datchet are large reservoirs which form part of the Settled Development Floodplain landscape type. The local landscape character context is shown in Figure 3.2.

Evolution of Datchet

8 The former Countryside Agency Countryside Character Map of England Vol 7 1999

RBWM Townscape Assessment 19 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

3.5. The name ’Datchet’ is thought to be of Celtic origin9 although there is no clear etymological explanation. The origins of the settlement appear ancient with evidence of Bronze and Iron Age activity, and a long history of habitation, associated with the river crossing point. 3.6. Datchet was subject to a Saxon land charter in the 10th Century, with the village identified as forming part of the Royal Forest at Windsor by 1086. The importance of the settlement in relation to the Royal Estate was indicated by the provision of a Royal Barge and use of the river crossing at Datchet as part of the processional route to Windsor Castle in the 13th Century. The river was crossed by ferry at this point until replaced by a sequence of successive bridges from 1707-1852. 3.7. Much of the village was built in the level Thames Floodplain, around the historic village green, with the few areas of higher ground reserved for sites of strategically important buildings such as the Church. The village evolved in a compact, nucleated form around the green, at the convergence of London Road and Horton Road. 3.8. London Road, Horton Road and Bath Road represented the key axes of settlement growth until the 19th Century. The settlement form and more recent growth has largely been dictated by key strategic routes, notably the Slough and London Roads which remained as rural lanes until London Road was Turnpiked in the late 19th Century. 3.9. Two key influences which helped shape the form of the settlement were the culverting and partial re alignment of the river in the 1850s, creating a swathe of riverside open spaces, and the construction of the South Western Railway in 1852. This bisected the village core although the land left over was not built over until the 1890s when it was acquired by speculative developers. The result was the construction of a series of suburban streets in the late Victorian and Edwardian era (1890-1910) e.g. at Montagu Road, where slate roofs, russet and gault brick, render and timbered gables are all evident. The settlement experienced limited growth in the interwar period with a small housing estate occupying the former gardens of Leigh Park. More extensive growth occurred in the late 20th century period (to 1960), with larger villas to the east of Leigh Park surrounded by suburban streets and cul de sacs, with the line of the M4 motorway marking a natural check to growth. Montagu Road was extended in the 1970s with the construction of a large housing estate. To the northern end of the village the settlement expanded westwards towards the railway line (Eton Close, Ruscombe Gardens) from 1975-87. 3.10. Much of the river is inaccessible due to private garden curtilages and boat houses associated with large Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian properties fronting the riverside, built from the 18th to early 20th Centuries, making the few areas of open space to the riverside significant. An important component of the settlement setting is the visual relationship to the Royal Estate, with views across to the Home Park from within the Conservation Area, with vestiges of the tree lined processional route between the castle and the village still evident.

9 RBWM Conservation Area Appraisal of Datchet Village, 1995

RBWM Townscape Assessment 20 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 RBWM Townscape Assessment

Volume 2 Figure 3.2: Urban Structure and Landscape Setting of Datchet

Key

Settlement boundary

RBWM boundary

Historic gateway Node Landmark Key view

Historic parks and gardens

Landscape Character Types

1. Estate parkland 3. Farmed parkland 13. Settled farmed floodplain 14. Settled developed floodplain

0200400100 m

1:10,000 at A3 Source: RBWM, Land Use Consultants

Date: 11/02/2009

Revision: B

Urban Structure 3.11. Figure 3.2 shows the urban structure of Datchet.

Historic gateways There are four historic gateways to Datchet. The first is the western approach to the village green from Eton Road; the second is the eastern approach to the green along Horton Road; the third is from north-east along London Road; and the fourth is the approach to the village core from the river to the south-west.

Nodes The village green, which forms the central focus for the village core, represents the principal node within the settlement. The other is the Recreation Ground (including youth centre and play area).

Landmarks Datchet’s two landmarks are the church spire and the Manor Hotel to the village green.

Key views There are important views to the riverside and Windsor Home Park from the High Street.

Values 3.12. During the stakeholder workshop on 23rd September 2008 the following values were identified by the local community: 1. The Recreation Ground. 2. Sense of community to the village centre. 3. Mixed community (age). 4. Ease of access to transport infrastructure – motorway/railway.

Guidance / Opportunities for Datchet 3.13. Datchet is a compact riverside settlement, focussed on the village green and clearly defined historic village core, with landmark churches and historic buildings, and with strong links to its riparian landscape setting. 3.14. It is recommended that the following strategic principles are taken into account in the development design process and in public realm improvement projects: 1. The maintenance and enhancement of the physical and visual links to the riverside setting to the western edge of Datchet. In particular the conservation of key views to the Thames and Windsor Great Park beyond, which are available from Datchet High Street.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 21 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 2. The integration of the western settlement edge with the riverside setting, using planting which reflects the riverside character. 3. The integration of the south eastern and southern settlement edges around Datchet Common with the wider valley floodplain landscape setting. 4. The retention of the historic village core and village green as the main focus for the settlement. 5. The retention of the village green as a key node and point of focus within the village. 6. The conservation of the western approach to the village green from Eton Road; the eastern approach to the green along Horton Road; the approach from the north-east along London Road; and the approach to the village core from the river to the south-west as key gateways into the historic core. 7. The conservation of the church spire and the historic Manor Hotel on the village green as landmarks. Development should not detract from these buildings as landmarks.

Townscape Classification 3.15. The townscape classification for Datchet is shown on Figure 3.3.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 22 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 RBWM Townscape Assessment

Volume 2 Figure 3.3: Townscape Classification for Datchet

Key 13A Settlement boundary Townscape Assessment

3. Historic Village Cores 8A 6. Victorian and Edwardian Suburbs

13A 8. Inter War Suburbs 9. Post War Suburbs (to 1960) 6A 10. Late 20th Century Suburbs (1960s onwards) 11. Post War Residential Flats 10A 13. Leafy Residential Suburbs 17. Industrial and Commercial Estates

13E

10E 8C 8D 6B 9A 13B 3A

10C 13D 11 C

17A 6C 11 B 10D 8B

6D 11 A

10B

13C 0200400100 m

1:10,000 at A3 Source: RBWM, Land Use Consultants

Date: 11/02/2009

Revision: A

ETON & ETON WICK

Physical Influences and Landscape Setting 3.16. Eton and Eton Wick lie in the central part of the Thames Valley10 (JCA 115). The underlying solid geology is varied, including Chalk, Reading Bed sands and London Clay formations (refer to Figure 3.1). 3.17. Figure 3.4 shows the local landscape character context of Eton and Eton Wick. Eton evolved from a historic crossing point on the River Thames and is orientated towards the river. Beyond Eton’s riverside, mature pollarded willows, alders and poplars line the River Thames. This landscape forms part of the Settled Farmed Floodplain landscape type (RBWM 2004). Approximately 2km west of Eton, Eton Wick also lies in the same open floodplain landscape. The floodplain between Eton and Eton Wick is traversed by two elevated transport corridors, including the A332 and Windsor Central railway line.

Evolution of Eton & Eton Wick

3.18. Eton (meaning ‘settlement on an island’) was established as a Saxon settlement between 7th-10th centuries at a ford across the river Thames, north of Windsor. However, archaeological remains (Celtic and Roman urns) suggest earlier settlement within the area11. Eton evolved from a point where several arms of the river cut unique islands. As the parish was never enclosed, Eton preserves one of the few

10 The former Countryside Agency Countryside Character Map of England Vol 7 1999 11 Balance, S. (1982) A Town Called Eton, Eton Press Ltd, p.1.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 23 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 remaining areas on which Lammas12 rights exist in England, including land to the south and west of the town, alongside the river. 3.19. Eton was held by Queen Edith, wife of King Edward, and later by Walter Fitzother, constable of Windsor Castle, who recorded ‘Ettone’ at the time of the Domesday Survey as having 2 mills, meadow, woodland and fisheries. Settlement first concentrated on higher land near the ford (mostly farms), and quickly spread along the current High Street during the middle ages in response to growth at nearby Windsor. Strategically located on the main road from Windsor to London and on the banks of the Thames, growth at Eton was spurred by road and water traffic. 3.20. In 1440 Henry VI founded Eton College. Construction of the Cloister Buildings commenced in 1443 and by 1475 the parish church had been demolished and replaced by the college chapel, which became the town church13. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the town remained an important route to Windsor, and several inns developed in response to castle traffic and the growing need for student accommodation within the town. In 1512, the King’s stables were established to relieve pressure on Windsor Bridge; the location of the stables is reflected in the name ‘King Stable Street’. 3.21. The hamlet of Eton Wick was established west of Eton, between Eton Wick Road and Colenorton Brook (Common Ditch). Since the 15th century, there has been a strong interdependency between the both Eton, Eton Wick and the college, for employment and trade. Farming was a key focus for the local economy, until crafts and minor manufacturing influenced the town from the 17th century and the growing college demanded more services. Further growth at the college during the 18th and 19th centuries attracted an influx of masons, carpenters and labourers, building purpose built boarding houses to supplement and partially replace the previous private/individual boarding arrangements throughout Eton. 3.22. The decision in 1826 to resist enclosing the parish land remains a key influence on the development and settlement form of Eton and Eton Wick. Growth within each village has always been influenced and restricted by Lammas regulations and common land between Eton and Eton Wick, alongside the Thames and Jubilee River. 3.23. Populations in Eton Wick and particularly Eton increased rapidly during the 19th century, as a result of growing numbers within the College. Development during the 18th and 19th centuries in Eton Wick was concentrated between Common Road and Sheepcote Road. In Eton, development spread to the east and west of the High Street and new college accommodation was provided within and beyond the rear gardens of High Street properties14. The Eton Porney School was established at the rear of 29 High Street in 1813 to educate the children of Eton and Eton Wick. Windsor was linked by both the Great Western and Southern rail line by the mid 19th century, which reduced road traffic through Eton.

12 ‘Lammas Land’ – A class of commonable land, normally meadow, communally held and managed for part of the year, but open to commonable animals when harvest is over (historically between Lammas Day: 1 August and Lady Day: 25 March) (British Agricultural History Society, http://www.bahs.org.uk/09n2a5.pdf). 13 Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (1996) Eton Conservation Area Statement; para. 1.6. 14 Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (1996) Eton Conservation Area Statement; para. 1.10

RBWM Townscape Assessment 24 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 RBWM Townscape Assessment

Volume 2 Figure 3.4: Urban Structure and Landscape Setting of Eton and Eton Wick

Key

Settlement boundary

Historic gateway Node Landmark Key view

Historic parks and gardens

Landscape Character Types

1. Estate parkland 3. Farmed parkland 13. Settled farmed floodplain 14. Settled developed floodplain

0200400100 m

1:10,000 at A3 Source: RBWM, Land Use Consultants

Date: 11/02/2009

Revision: A

3.24. Development continued in Eton and Eton Wick during the Victorian Era (1837-1901), and each began to re-establish separate identities to the college. Eton Cottage Hospital was built north of Eton Wick as well as a new housing development along Alma Road, west of Bell Farm (‘New Town’). Victorian development in Eton was mostly concentrated in western parts of the town, clustered around the College. 3.25. The High Street in Eton has a strong building line, with small verges and narrow plots, reflecting the original medieval settlement grain based on burgage plots. Despite small scale modern developments along the High Street (including back-land development) and new buildings within the college, the built character of the high street has changed little during the 20th century. 3.26. Growth within Eton and Eton Wick has been constrained by the river, its flood plain, common land and Lammas land, which strongly contribute to the compact shape of each settlement. The urban grain of Eton is orientated towards the river, emphasising its traditional and close affiliation with Windsor. Quintessential views to the college buildings set within its historic floodplain landscape can be obtained from roads and footpaths. However, the arable farmland extending across the floodplain between Eton and Eton Wick has been fragmented by the A332 Eton bypass and recent residential development west of the Great Western Railway15. 3.27. Due to constraints such as flooding, Common Land and Lammas Land, the majority of 20th century housing has been concentrated at Eton Wick and near the A355/railway corridors. A large post war residential development was built by the former Eton Urban District Council, forming a western extension to the village, almost doubling its size. Development during the 20th century in Eton has mostly been minor residential infilling, including pre and post war semi-detached houses and modern flats at Eton Square and Brocas Terrace. 3.28. Traffic congestion within Eton town was alleviated in 1966, with the building of the Eton Windsor Relief Road. A free-standing residential estate soon emerged along the road, surrounding the former Eton College Sanatorium. In 1970 Windsor Bridge was closed to all vehicles. This placed increased reliance on tourist and college related activities, resulting in many of the shops and businesses within the town primarily serving the college community and tourists attracted to the town by the college.

Urban Structure 3.29. Figure 3.4 shows the urban structure of Eton & Eton Wick.

Eton 3.30. The urban structure of Eton stems from the historic town core – historically a linear development sequence along the High Street from the historic river crossing point at Windsor Bridge.

15 LDA Design (2004) Landscape Character Assessment for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, para. 3.13.50.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 25 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Historic gateways: Windsor Bridge forms an historic gateway into Eton. Barnes Pool Bridge provides an important historic gateway between Eton Town Historic Core and Eton College. Folly Bridge provides a western gateway to Eton Collage via Eton Wick Road. There is also an historic gateway from the north-east via Slough Road. Landmarks: Eton College Chapel is a landmark due to it exceptional architecture and prominent form. The Parish Church of St John is a landmark due it its prominence. The Memorial buildings at Windsor Road/Common Lane junction (former School Hall and Library) are a landmark due to their architectural prominence. Nodes: The court yard in front of Eton College Chapel is a gathering space, near the junction of High Street/Keate’s Lane. Other nodes include Windsor Bridge and Eton Court junction. Key views: The High Street (an historic route) is aligned with Windsor Castle and Barnes Pool Bridge, providing views north to Eton College and south to the Castle (from Windsor Bridge). There are also important views of Eton College Chapel and Windsor Castle across playing fields from Fifteen Arch Bridge. There are also important south-easterly views across South Meadow and ‘The Brocas’ to Windsor Castle, from public footpaths and South Meadow Lane. In addition there are important south-easterly views to Eton College Chapel and The Memorial Buildings (Listed Buildings) from Common Lane.

Eton Wick 3.31. Eton Wick lies approximately 2km west of Eton and is separated by a floodplain landscape (comprising South Field and West Field). The urban structure of Eton Wick stems from linear development along Eton Wick Road. Development in Eton Wick has been influenced by Eton College and surrounding Lammas / Common land. Historic Gateways: This relatively recent settlement has no historic gateways. Landmarks: St John the Baptist’s Church (Listed Building) is a landmark due to its prominence. The Eton College Sanatorium is a landmark building and was once prominent, although it is now enclosed by Windsor and Eton Relief Road embankments and tree belts. Nodes: The area in front of the village hall and shops, at the junction of Eton Wick Road and Bell Lane is a local gathering space. St John the Baptist’s churchyard at the junction of Eton Wick Road and Sheepcote Road is also a local gathering space and historic junction that links to Manor House Farm and Little Common Farm (Listed Buildings). Key Views: There are south-easterly views across the South Field to Windsor Castle from Eton Wick Road. There are also notable westerly views from Eton Wick Road towards St John the Baptist’s Church.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 26 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

Values 3.32. During the stakeholder workshop on 23rd September 2008, the following values were identified by the local community: 1. Distinctive design of buildings, particularly churches and other older buildings. 2. Small open spaces which provide valuable places for relaxation. 3. Trees and landscaping throughout the town, which enhance townscape character. 4. Eton College.

Guidance / Opportunities for Eton 3.33. Eton is a compact historic settlement with a fine grained network of streets, rich building styles and architectural details, and with a close relationship to Eton College. It has clear links to its floodplain landscape setting and close physical and visual links to Windsor Castle. 3.34. It is recommended that the following strategic principles are taken into account in the development design process and in public realm improvement projects: 1. The retention of Eton High Street the main focus of the settlement. 2. Consider the visibility of any new built development from the open floodplain landscape. 3. The conservation of Windsor Bridge, Folly Bridge and Slough Road as key gateways into the historic core of Eton. 4. The conservation of Barnes Pool Bridge as an historic gateway between Eton Town Historic Core and Eton College. 5. The conservation of Eton College Chapel, the Parish Church of St John, the Memorial buildings at Windsor Road/Common Lane junction as landmarks. Development should not detract from these buildings as landmarks. 6. The retention of the land in front of Eton College Chapel, at Windsor Bridge, Eton Court junction and near the junction of High Street/Keate’s Lane as nodes and a focal point. 7. The conservation of the views north to Eton College and south to Windsor Castle from Windsor Bridge, along the High Street. 8. The conservation of views of Eton College Chapel and Windsor Castle across the playing fields from Fifteen Arch Bridge. 9. The conservation of south-easterly views across South Meadow and ‘The Brocas’ to Windsor Castle, from public footpaths and South Meadow Lane. 10. The conservation of south-easterly views to Eton College Chapel and The Memorial Buildings (Listed Buildings) from Common Lane.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 27 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 11. The retention of small open spaces throughout the town.

Guidance / Opportunities for Eton Wick 3.35. Eton Wick is a linear village exhibiting a clear hierarchy of roads and streets focussed around a wide well-treed main village street, with clear links to the floodplain landscape setting, and a clear urban structure comprising nodes, landmarks and views. 3.36. It is recommended that the following strategic principles are taken into account in the development design process and in public realm improvement projects: 1. The retention of Eton Wick Road as the main focus of the settlement. 2. The conservation of the remnant hedgerow in the central reservation on Eton Wick Road (western end). 3. The opportunity to create gateways that signal ‘arrival’ at the eastern and western entrance points into the village, along Eton Wick Road (e.g. Tilson Bridge). 4. Consider the visibility of any new built development from the open floodplain landscape. 5. Consider the appearance of the settlement in views from Windsor Castle and across the floodplain (including South Field). 6. The conservation of St John the Baptist’s Church in westerly views from Eton Wick Road. 7. The conservation of St John the Baptist’s Church and the Eton College Sanatorium as landmarks. Development should not detract from these buildings as landmarks. 8. The retention of the junctions of Eton Wick Road, Sheepcote Road and St John the Baptist’s churchyard as nodes. 9. The retention of the area in front of the village hall and shops, at the junction of Eton Wick Road and Bell Lane as a node and focal point.

Townscape Classification 3.37. The townscape classification for Eton & Eton Wick is shown on Figure 3.5.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 28 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 RBWM Townscape Assessment

Volume 2 Figure 3.5: Townscape Classification for Eton and Eton Wick

Key

Settlement boundary Townscape Assessment

1. Historic Town Cores

5. Victorian Villages

6. Victorian and Edwardian Suburbs 8G 9B 8. Inter War Suburbs 6E 9. Post War Suburbs (to 1960)

10. Late 20th Century Suburbs 11 D (1960s onwards) 5A 10G 8E 10F 11. Post War Residential Flats 8F 9C 9D 15. Collegiate

10H 10I 8H 9E

15A

1A 6F

1A 10J

0200400100 m 11 E 6G 1:10,000 at A3 Source: RBWM, Land Use Consultants

Date: 11/02/2009

Revision: A

OLD WINDSOR

Physical Influences and Landscape Setting 3.38. Old Windsor lies in the central part of the Thames Valley16 (JCA 115), on a broad, flat floodplain south of Windsor. The landscape rises in a south westerly direction from 20m AOD along the Thames riverside to 40m AOD at Pelling Hill, located on the southern settlement edge of Old Windsor. The underlying solid geology is London Clay, which is overlain with deposits of alluvial sands and river gravels (refer to Figure 3.1). The historic landscapes of Kingsbury (Ancient Monument), Windsor Great Park (Historic Park and Garden) and Windsor Home Park (Historic Park and Garden) provide an important landscape setting to Old Windsor. 3.39. The setting of Old Windsor is dominated by the Farmed Parkland17 landscape type. Figure 3.6 shows the local landscape character context. This landscape is characterised by a rich flat arable landscape, alongside the River Thames and encompasses the historic landscape at Kingsbury and the wider parkland areas associated with the medieval Royal Hunting Forest of Windsor. To the north-west of Old Windsor is the Estate Parkland landscape type which includes Home Park (Historic Park and Garden). This landscape type is characterised by a private, mature and historic designed landscape of pleasure gardens, treed avenues and grazing pastures attached to Windsor Castle.

Evolution of Old Windsor

16 The former Countryside Agency Countryside Character Map of England Vol7 1999 17 RBWM (2004) Landscape Character Assessment for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

RBWM Townscape Assessment 29 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 3.40. Settlement at Old Windsor was first focused east of the existing village, where the site of a palace or villa (now a scheduled ancient monument, SAM) used by Edward the Confessor and the Early Norman Kings of England was founded during the 9th century, 3km south east of Windsor. The palace stood on higher ground within a pronounced meander of the Thames, in the field known as Kingsbury (i.e. King’s Borough), near the existing parish churchyard of St Peter. Kingsbury was extensive early and medieval royal palace dating from about the 7th or 8th century AD, however, there are no above ground features visible in the landscape today. 3.41. The palace remained as a Royal residence and hunting lodge until approximately the 12th century. The settlement of Old Windsor grew in response to the services needed (direct and indirect) by the palace. However, the Royal Palace was moved to higher ground at New Windsor during Saxon times by King William I, where the raised motte-and bailey castle provided a better defensible location. Subsequent history indicates the settlement suffered economic and population decline during the medieval period. 3.42. Other archaeological features (SAMs) within the local landscape include the medieval moated sites at Bear’s Rails and Tileplace Farm (east of village), which were built between c.1250 and 1350 AD. The parish church of St Peter (near the site of former palace) was built in the 13th century, which replaced the earlier church built during the 11th century. Although the church was further rebuilt during the mid-19th century, the 13th century tower still remains. 3.43. Up to the 20th century, the settlement pattern in and around Old Windsor was dominated by riverside farmsteads and cottages scattered along St Lukes Road, Crimp Hill, Burfield Road and Straight Road (A308). This included properties such as Burfield Lodge (1861) and The Grange18, and Beaumont College, a Georgian mansion built in 179019. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, a mixture of Victorian and Edwardian terraces and semi-detached houses were built along Albany Road and the northern end of St Luke’s Road. 3.44. Minor residential development occurred during the inter-war period along Church Road and The Avenue. However, Old Windsor expanded most rapidly during the post-war period, seeing substantial infilling of residential estates between the River Thames and Burfield Road, along Straight Road (A308) and at Ashbrook Road.

Urban Structure 3.45. Figure 3.6 shows the urban structure of Old Windsor. Historic Gateways: There is an historic gateway from the south, marked by the Runnymeade Gatehouses, which signifies ‘arrival’ at Old Windsor. Landmarks: The Tapestries at Straight Road form a landmark due to their ornate skyline and prominent clock tower. In addition, the church east of the Royal Palace, along Church Road, was defined as a landmark during the stakeholder consultation workshop due to its historic importance and visual prominence.

18 Ordnance Survey (1822) Ordnance Survey of England and Wales, 1 Inch to 1 Mile, Sheet 7. 19 Pevsner, N. (1966) The Buildings of England, Berkshire, Penguin Press, p. 189.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 30 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 RBWM Townscape Assessment

Volume 2 Figure 3.6: Urban Structure and Landscape Setting of Old Windsor

Key

Settlement boundary

RBWM boundary

Historic gateway Node Landmark Key view

Historic parks and gardens

Landscape Character Types

1. Estate parkland 2. Open parkland 3. Farmed parkland 12. Wooded heathland 13. Settled farmed floodplain 14. Settled developed floodplain

0200400100 m

1:10,000 at A3 Source: RBWM, Land Use Consultants

Date: 11/02/2009

Revision: A

Nodes: The junction of Church Road/ Straight Road is a historic junction which links to the historic site of Kingsbury. The village green in front of the Fox and Castle Public House (listed building which dates to late 15th century), along Burfield Road, forms a local gathering place and node. Key Views: Key views include northerly views along Straight Road to the Royal Gardens Lodge at entrance to Home Park (Grade II listed building outside the settlement boundary), south-westerly views along Ouseley Road (a cedar lined avenue) towards Beaumont College (Grade II* listed building outside the settlement boundary), and elevated views over Home Park to Windsor Castle, from Pelling Hill. In addition, views from the Albert Road junction to the Copper Horse were identified during the stakeholder consultation workshop.

Values 3.46. During the stakeholder workshop on 23rd September 2008 the following values were identified by the local community: 1. History. 2. River Thames. 3. Green setting (River Thames, Windsor Great Park).

Guidance / Opportunities for Old Windsor 3.47. Old Windsor is a settlement within an historic parkland setting associated with the medieval Royal Hunting Forest of Windsor, with a close relationship to the River Thames and the historic landscape at Kingsbury (Ancient Monument). 3.48. It is recommended that the following strategic principles are taken into account in the development design process and in public realm improvement projects: 1. The opportunity to create gateways at the northern entrance point into the village, along Albert Road and Datchet Road. 2. The improvement of Straight Road and St Luke’s Road through street tree planting. 3. The integration of the settlement into the historic parkland setting and associations with the medieval Royal Hunting Forest of Windsor. 4. The opportunity to enhancement the relationship of the settlement to its River Thames setting – opening up visual and physical links to the river. 5. The retention the junction of St Luke’s Road / Straight Road as a node and focal point. 6. The retention of the Runnymeade Gatehouses as a gateway into the village. 7. The conservation of the historic landscape of Kingsbury (Ancient Monument), Windsor Great Park (Historic Park and Garden) and Windsor Home Park (Historic Park and Garden).

RBWM Townscape Assessment 31 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 8. Consider the appearance of the settlement in views across Home Park. 9. The integration of the settlement edges into the historic landscapes. 10. The conservation of south-westerly views from the Albert Road junction to the Copper Horse statue. 11. The conservation of The Tapestries and the church along Church Road as key landmarks. 12. The retention of the Church Road/ Straight Road junction as a node which links the village core to the historic site of Kingsbury. 13. The retention of the village green to the front of the Fox and Castle Public House (Grade II listed building) as a node and gathering place. 14. The conservation of the cedar lined avenue along Ouseley Road that marks the approach to Beaumont College as a remaining historic landscape feature. 15. The conservation of the northerly views along Straight Road to the Royal Gardens Lodge, at entrance to Home Park (Grade II listed building outside the settlement boundary). 16. The conservation of the views from Pelling Hill to Windsor Castle and consider the appearance of the settlement in these views.

Townscape Classification 3.49. The townscape classification for Old Windsor is shown on Figure 3.7.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 32 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 RBWM Townscape Assessment

Volume 2 Figure 3.7: Townscape Classification for Old Windsor

Key

Settlement boundary

Townscape Assessment

5. Victorian Villages

8. Inter War Suburbs

9. Post War Suburbs (to 1960)

10. Late 20th Century Suburbs (1960s onwards) 9F 5B 11. Post War Residential Flats

13. Leafy Residential Suburbs 10K 8I 14. Villas in a Woodland Setting 9G 11 F

10O

10L

10M 13F 5B 9H

10N 10P 14A

13G

14A 13H 0200400100 m

1:10,000 at A3 Source: RBWM, Land Use Consultants

Date: 11/02/2009

Revision: A

WINDSOR

Physical Influences and Landscape Setting 3.50. Windsor lies in the central part of the Thames Valley20 (JCA 115). The underlying solid geology is varied and includes Chalk, Reading Bed sands and London Clay formations. The underlying geology and flood zones for the Borough are shown on Figure 3.1. This variation in geology is reflected in the occurrence of several Borough level landscape types, which provide a highly distinctive and varied landscape setting to the settlement. Figure 3.8 shows the local landscape character context. 3.51. Windsor castle sits on a prominent chalk outcrop, immediately south of the River Thames, overlooking an open, flat floodplain of grazed pasture. The northern landscape setting is defined by the flat, open farmland landscape of the Settled Developed Floodplain and Settled Farmed Floodplain21. The historic landscapes of Windsor Home Park and Great Park (Registered Historic Parks) dominate the landscape setting to the east and south of the settlement – these form part of the Wooded Parkland, Farmed Parkland and Open Parkland landscape types which comprise vast deer-grazed pastures, mature parkland trees and avenues of veteran oaks. To the west is an undulating agricultural (mixed) landscape of Settled Farmed Sands and Clays.

Evolution of Windsor Windsor (east)

20 The former Countryside Agency Countryside Character Map of England Vol7 1999 21 RBWM (2004) Landscape Character Assessment for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

RBWM Townscape Assessment 33 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

Windsor (west)

3.52. The historic settlement of Windsor evolved around the castle, on a chalk outcrop overlooking the river Thames. William I (c.1070) selected the site of the castle as a natural stronghold point in the Thames valley, between London and Wallingford. Its close proximity to Windsor forest was also appealing, allowing monarchs good access for recreation. This combination of ‘defensive and pleasurable attractions…caused the abandonment of the palace site of the Saxon and early Norman Kings’’22 at Old Windsor, 3km downstream, in favour of the new castle. Although the castle was well-sited for military purposes, it was not well served by land routes and depended largely on the river Thames as a principal communication and transport corridor. 3.53. Windsor Great Park extends some 5666 hectares to the south of Windsor of which 3238 hectares are forest. The park was created out of Windsor Forest as a royal hunting park during the 12th century and is rich in historical and archaeological features due to the long history of settlement in the region and proximity to the castle, Kingsbury (former site of the royal palace at Old Windsor) and the River Thames. The park includes relics of 17th century designed landscapes, still evident in The Rides that radiate out from the castle, including The Long Walk and Queen Anne’s ride, providing a highly distinctive landscape setting to the castle. During the medieval period, Henry I initiated a programme of rebuilding at Windsor castle and held his court for the first time in New Windsor in 1110, which completed the royal migration from Kingsbury.

22 Astill, G. G. (1978) Historic Towns in Berkshire: An Archaeological Appraisal, Berkshire Archaeological Committee, p. 59.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 34 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 RBWM Townscape Assessment

Volume 2 Figure 3.8: Urban Structure and Landscape Setting of Windsor

Key

Settlement boundary

RBWM boundary

Historic gateway See inset map Node Landmark Key view

Historic parks and gardens

Landscape Character Types

1. Estate parkland 2. Open parkland 3. Farmed parkland 4. Wooded parkland 8. Settled farmed sands and clays 13. Settled farmed floodplain 14. Settled developed floodplain

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3.54. The medieval town remained largely unchanged in its built up area from 1500 to 1800. The settlement was focused, as it is today, around the Castle, market place (corner of Market Street/Church Lane), Parish Church and Guildhall (c.1690). Burgage plots once fronted the market place, which backed onto the castle garden and vineyard. The castle provided stimulus for growth and the settlement grew as a trading and market centre, with new houses spreading along the High Street/Thames Street and Peascod Street. The medieval suburb of ‘Underore’23 evolved during the 12th century, beside the riverside quays and ford of the Thames (replaced by a bridge in c.1268). Building materials and other provisions were unloaded and stored here, providing a key focus of activity. From the 14th century, new trade industries were reflected in naming of streets and alleys, including ‘Le Bochery, Fish Street and Drapery Row’24. 3.55. Thames Street is a key historic route that links the castle with the river. Besides Thames Street, a historic flight of stairs (known as the Hundred Steps), leads into the Lower Ward (The court west of the Round Tower). The market cross once stood at this point (junction of the High Street/Peascod Street); now replaced by Queen Victoria’s statue. A row of houses were built along the eastern side of Thames Street during the 16th century, beside the western castle ditch. These were later removed in 1852, to ‘provide a better view of the castle’25. 3.56. Windsor evolved as a ‘Garrison Town’. The Combermere (Cavalry) barracks, home of the Household Cavalry, were built along St. Leonard's Road in the early 19th century (redeveloped in 1953). Also along St. Leonard's Road, King Edward VII Hospital was built in 1909. The Victoria barracks were later built in circa 1980 west of Sheet Street, now home to the Foot Guards Battalion. 3.57. The opening of two railway branches in c.1849 (Great Western Railway; and London and South Western Railway) and development of roads within the region vastly changed the settlement form and built character of Windsor. Rapid expansion during the 19th and early 20th century resulted in building of Georgian suburbs (King’s Road and Clarence Crescent) and extensive Victorian/Edwardian suburbs to the south and west of Windsor’s Historic Core. This was accompanied by service developments, including shops, houses, schools and churches. Local industries such as brewing, tanning and cloth making prospered during the 19th century, which supported the growing settlement population and wider farming community. Improved access to the settlement was quickly followed by substantial residential extensions during the post war period west of Alma Road, surrounding the village cores of Clewer, Clewer Green and Dedworth Green. 3.58. By virtue of its location in close proximity to London with good access to Heathrow Airport and several other major transport corridors (M4), the area has been subject to immense pressure for development, including residential, industrial and

23 Astill, G. G. (1978) Historic Towns in Berkshire: An Archaeological Appraisal, Berkshire Archaeological Committee, p. 61. 24 Astill, G. G. (1978) Historic Towns in Berkshire: An Archaeological Appraisal, Berkshire Archaeological Committee, p. 61. 25 Astill, G. G. (1978) Historic Towns in Berkshire: An Archaeological Appraisal, Berkshire Archaeological Committee, p. 61.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 35 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 commercial land uses. Although the settlement has never been a focus for manufacturing; tourism, small light industry units, banking/finance and specialist markets (electronic, computer, pharmaceutical industries) are key growth areas in Windsor. Current forces for development will continue to place pressure and influence the built form and character, however the historic core still holds the ‘impression of a market town focused on a castle’26 and the castle provides a landmark and visual reminder of the settlement’s foundations. In addition, the presence of the Windsor Great Park has prevented development spreading to the east; which strongly influences the ‘small town’ image from southern approaches to Windsor along Kings Road and Albert Road.

Urban Structure 3.59. Figure 3.8 shows the urban structure of Windsor. Peascod Street, St Leonard’s Road, Clewer Hill Road, Hatch Lane/Parsonage Lane, Dedworth Road and Maidenhead Road are key historic routes into Windsor, providing links to the older parts of Windsor. Historic Gateways: Windsor Bridge is a key historic gateway (now pedestrianised) into Windsor’s core, located at a historic river crossing point over the River Thames below the castle. The ‘Cambridge Gate’ and ‘Park Street Gate’ located at the eastern end of Park Street are also historic gateways into Windsor Historic Core from ‘The Long Walk’ within Windsor Great Park (Registered Historic Park). The southern end of Peascod Street, at the junction with Victoria Street, is an historic gateway into Windsor’s historic core. Sheet Street marks another historic gateway into Windsor’s historic core. In addition, Queen Anne’s Gate Lodge and nearby Crown Cottages (listed buildings) along Kings Road mark an historic gateway into the town. Here, the distinctive building styles (including irregular gables, tiled roofs with grouped Jacobean chimneys) and park pail fencing alongside Windsor Great Park, provide a memorable southern entrance to the town. Landmarks: Windsor Castle is the primary landmark in Windsor due to its visual prominence and historic importance – the castle also acts as a Borough-wide landmark. The Parish Church of St John the Baptist is also a landmark within Windsor due to its prominence and historic importance in Windsor’s development. The railway canopy of Windsor Central station is also a landmark, which marks the entrance to a key arrival/departure point to Windsor. In addition, the following landmarks were defined during the stakeholder consultation workshop due to their historic importance and visual prominence:

Market Cross House (the ‘Crooked House’ tea rooms) at the corner of Windsor High Street and Queen Charlotte Avenue;

The Queen Victoria Statue, located east of the High Street / Peascod Street junction;

the former Caleys building along the High Street;

26 Astill, G. G. (1978) Historic Towns in Berkshire: An Archaeological Appraisal, Berkshire Archaeological Committee, p. 59.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 36 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

the King George Memorial, located at the Thames Street / Datchet Road junction;

the former Princess Christian Hospital on Clarence Road;

Holy Trinity Church, at Trinity Place; and

Windsor Arts Centre, on St. Leonard’s Road. Nodes: The junction of High Street and Peascod Street (now the location of Queen Victoria’s statue) is a key node, which was where the market cross once stood. Windsor Central Station and surrounds is an important meeting place and key arrival/departure point to Windsor where people assemble, forming a node. The northern end of Thames Street (also a node) is a common place for pedestrians to pause and congregate before passing over Windsor Bridge to Eton, or walking up Thames Street to Windsor Castle. In addition, the suburban park at the junction of Foster Avenue and Wolf Lane (located in Windsor’s western suburbs) was defined as an important place where people congregate, during the stakeholder consultation workshop. Key Views: Located on a prominent chalk outcrop close to the River Thames, the Castle is widely visible from within Windsor and its landscape setting. Key views to the castle within Windsor’s historic core are channelled along streets, due to the fine grained block pattern and narrow street widths. Such views include the view from Windsor Bridge along Thames Street to the castle, the view along King’s Road towards the castle, and the view along Peascod Street (now pedestrianised) to the castle. There are also key elevated south easterly views to the castle from the Windsor-Slough railway and the A332 Windsor and Eton Relief Road, as well as southerly views from Windsor Castle to The Copper Horse along ‘The Long Walk’. Easterly views along Maidenhead Road to Windsor Castle were identified during the stakeholder consultation workshop.

Values 3.60. During the stakeholder workshop on 23rd September 2008 the following values were identified by the local community: 1. Distinctive communities throughout the town. 2. Distinctive design of buildings, particularly churches and other older buildings. 3. Small open spaces, particularly in built up areas, which provide valuable places for relaxation (examples include Heritage Garden, King George V Memorial Garden, Romney Walk, Castle Spinney and Hemwood Dell). 4. Trees and landscaping throughout the town, which enhance townscape character (including the Cedar of Lebanon at 92 St. Leonards Road, the Atlas Cedar tree next to All Saints Church, and the trees at the entrance of former hospital site and the entrance to Combermere Barracks). 5. Small woodlands.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 37 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 6. Windsor Arts Centre.

Guidance / Opportunities for Windsor 3.61. Windsor is an historic town, focussed around Windsor Castle, surrounded by a collection of villages and suburbs with strong links to the historic landscapes of Windsor Home Park, Windsor Great Park, and the River Thames. 3.62. It is recommended that the following strategic principles are taken into account in the development design process and in public realm improvement projects: 1. The retention of the historic core of Windsor as the focus for the settlement and seek the improvement of the historic fringe which forms its setting. 2. The conservation of the distinct core of Historic Villages and Victorian Villages within the wider townscape. 3. The maintenance of the strong links to the historic landscapes of Windsor Home Park and Windsor Great Park to the south and east of Windsor. 4. The maintenance and strengthening of the relationship between Windsor and the River Thames setting to the north. 5. The conservation of Windsor Bridge as a key gateway into the historic core of the town from Eton. 6. The conservation of ‘Cambridge Gate’/‘Park Street Gate’ as a key gateway points into the historic core of the town from Windsor Great Park. 7. The conservation of the southern end of Peascod Street and Sheet Street as key gateways into the historic core of the town. 8. The conservation of the distinctive collection of buildings along Kings Road (including Queen Anne’s Gate Lodge and Crown Cottages) as a memorable southern entrance to the town from Windsor Great Park. 9. The conservation of Windsor Castle as a Borough-wide landmark and the primary landmark of Windsor. Development should not detract from this building as the main landmark feature. 10. The conservation of the Parish Church of St John the Baptist, the railway canopy of Windsor Central station, Market Cross House, the Queen Victoria Statue, the former Caleys building along Windsor High Street, the King George Memorial, the former Princess Christian Hospital, Holy Trinity Church and Windsor Arts Centre as landmark features. Development should not detract from these buildings as landmarks. 11. The conservation of the junction of the High Street and Peascod Street (now the location of Queen Victoria’s statue), Windsor Central Station, the northern end of Thames Street by Windsor Bridge, and suburban parks such as that at Foster Avenue as key nodes and points of focus.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 38 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

12. The conservation of views to the Castle from within Windsor’s historic core – for example, ensure the Castle remains as a focus in views from Windsor Bridge, Kings Road and Peascod Street. 13. Consider the appearance of the settlement in elevated views from the Windsor- Slough railway and the A332 Windsor and Eton Relief Road – ensure the Castle remains a focus in these views. 14. The conservation of views from Windsor Castle to The Copper Horse along ‘The Long Walk’ and vice versa. 15. The conservation of views to the Castle from Maidenhead Road. 16. The conservation of distinctive trees within the wider townscape, for example the Cedar of Lebanon at 92 St. Leonards Road, the Atlas Cedar next to All Saints Church, and the trees at the entrance to Combermere Barracks.

Townscape Classification 3.63. The townscape classification for Windsor is shown on Figure 3.9.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 39 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 RBWM Townscape Assessment

Volume 2 Figure 3.9: Townscape Classification for Windsor Key

Settlement boundary

Townscape Assessment

1. Historic Town Cores

2A 3B 2. Historic Town Fringes 17C 10Z 6L 2A 3. Historic Village Cores 11 P 8N 11 M 10Z 17B 8N9K 4. Georgian Suburbs 1B 13K 5. Victorian Villages 6I 8R 16F 11 G 10AJ 10AI 9L 10Y 6. Victorian and Edwardian Suburbs 9M 11 L 2A 8M 8M 8K 8. Inter War Suburbs 8S 4B 5D 9. Post War Suburbs (to 1960) 11 K 16A 2A 11 O 8M 16E 8S 8M 8L 10. Late 20th Century Suburbs 6H (1960s onwards) 17D 5E 10V 8S 10AA 10X 11. Post War Residential Flats 8O 13I 11 J 4A

10AA 9J 8J 12. ‘Executive’ Residential Estates 10AK 8S 10AH 11 I 16D 9O 10AB 6K 10Q 5D 11 N 13. Leafy Residential Suburbs 13L 16C 10AG 10AF 11 Q 16B 14. Villas in a Woodland Setting 10AE 11 H 8P 10T 13J 16. Large Institutional Development 10W 10U 10R 9N 9J 6J 17. Industrial and Commercial Estates 10AD 10AC 5C 9I 13M 12D 12A 8Q 13N 10S

12C 9P 14B 12B

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Physical Influences and Landscape Setting 3.64. Wraysbury lies in the central part of the Thames Valley27 (JCA 115), on a broad, flat floodplain east of the River Thames. The underlying solid geology is London Clay, which is overlain with deposits of alluvial sands and river gravels (refer to Figure 3.1). Restored gravel extraction pits and large water reservoirs dominate the eastern landscape setting of Wraysbury – these form part of the Settled Developed Floodplain landscape type in the LCA28. To the west is a rich flat arable landscape, alongside the River Thames, the historic landscape of Kingsbury and Windsor Great Park beyond (part of the medieval Royal Hunting Forest of Windsor) – these form part of the Farmed Parkland landscape type. To the north is the Settled Farmed Floodplain which includes a rich mosaic of farmland with scattered settlements. Figure 3.10 shows the local landscape character context of Wraysbury.

Evolution of Wraysbury

27 The former Countryside Agency Countryside Character Map of England Vol7 1999 28 RBWM (2004) Landscape Character Assessment for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 40 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

3.65. Wraysbury (‘Wyrardisbury’29) is an historic village located on low-lying land on the northern banks of the Thames, east of Old Windsor. The village grew around the Church of St Andrew (built during the early 12th century) and village green (now a cricket field). Four fisheries and two mills were noted in the Domesday Survey within the parish. 3.66. The landscape setting of Wraysbury is rich in historical influences because of its proximity to Windsor Castle, the River Thames and the original site of Edward the Confessor’s villa at Kingsbury (Old Windsor). During the 14th century Wraysbury was a Royal Manor and its lands often featured in the dowries of English Queens. South of Wraysbury (outside the settlement boundary), the remains of a 12th century Benedictine nunnery are visible, including the Priory ruins (Grade II listed), moat, fishponds and an extensive area of earthworks30. The yew tree in the grounds of Ankerwyke Priory (SAM) is said to have been the site where Henry VIII met with Anne Boleyn during the 16th century. The sealing of Magna Carta by King John on 15th June 1215 is thought to have occurred on the banks of the Thames adjacent to Magna Carta Island, south of Wraysbury. 1275 has been estimated as the origin of part of the Listed Building known locally as King John's Hunting Lodge31., located north west of Wraysbury on Old Ferry Drive. 3.67. Wraysbury’s settlement pattern is strongly influenced by the historic village core, comprising the Church of St Andrew, The George Inn (c. 16th Century) and a triangular village green. The historic village core is intact and The Green provides a key open space within the village. 3.68. The London and South Western Railway branch opened a station in Wraysbury in 1849. As a result, the settlement expanded as a linear settlement along roads stemming from The Green, including a Victorian Village focussed on the High Street. The village experienced its greatest growth rate post-war (1939 onwards). Residential development spread along Welley Road, linking Wraysbury with Sunnymeads village. The majority of modern housing has spread westwards to the River Thames, comprising spacious ‘leafy’ suburbs. 3.69. The agricultural floodplain that once bordered the village to the east was mined for gravel during the post-war period and later filled with water, forming large artificial water storage reservoirs. The reservoirs surround the village to the north and east, and restrict expansion of development. Despite the extensive nature of these waterbodies, they are not often visible because of the low lying nature of the landform and marginal vegetation which enclose views from the village and nearby routes32.

29 Ordnance Survey (1822) England and Wales 1 Inch to 1 Mile, Sheet 7. 30 LDA Design (2004) Landscape Character Assessment for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, para. 3.3.29. 31 LDA Design (2004) Landscape Character Assessment for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, para. 3.3.39. 32 LDA Design (2004) Landscape Character Assessment for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, para. 3.14.38.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 41 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 RBWM Townscape Assessment

Volume 2 Figure 3.10: Urban Structure and Landscape Setting of Wraysbury

Key

Settlement boundary

RBWM boundary

Historic gateway Node Landmark Key view

Landscape Character Types

3. Farmed parkland 13. Settled farmed floodplain 14. Settled developed floodplain

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Reproduced from Ordnance Survey information with the permission of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, Land Use Consultants, Licence Number 100019265 File: S:\4300\4386 RBWM Townscape Assessment\GIS\Themes\ArcGIS9\Urban_Structure_Maps\4386-01_S010_Wraysbury.mxd Urban Structure 3.70. Figure 3.10 shows the urban structure of Wraysbury. Historic gateways: There are three main entrance points to the historic core of Wraysbury – these are the junction of Wraysbury High Street/Windsor Road; the junction of The Green/Station Road; and the junction of St Andrew’s Close/Ouseley Road. Landmarks: The Church of St Andrew and the Baptist Church along the High Street are landmarks due to their visual prominence. In addition, The Splash Mill and The George Inn public house were defined as landmarks during the stakeholder consultation workshop, due to their historic importance and visual prominence. Nodes: The Church of St Andrew churchyard and The Green are key historic places within the village. Key views: There are southerly views to the Church of St Andrew from St Andrew’s Close, framed by an avenue of mature chestnut trees. Also of note, are the northerly views across The Green from Windsor Road, and the north-easterly views to the Perseverance Public House (Listed Building) and Baptist Church along Wraysbury High Street.

Values 3.71. During the stakeholder workshop on 23rd September 2008 the following values were identified by the local community: 1. Access to wildlife (gravel pits). 2. Easy access to motorways / trains.

Guidance / Opportunities for Wraysbury 3.72. Wraysbury is an historic ‘leafy’ village, focussed around the Church of St Andrew and village green, surrounded by a richly diverse landscape of gravel pits in the floodplain of the Thames. 3.73. It is recommended that the following strategic principles are taken into account in the development design process and in public realm improvement projects: 1. The retention of the historic village core as the focus for the settlement. 2. The conservation of the leafy character of the village, seeking opportunities to enhance this character through planting that is in keeping with its landscape setting 3. The retention of the village green as the central greenspace in the settlement. 4. The conservation of the junction of Wraysbury High Street/Windsor Road; the junction of The Green/Station Road; and the junction of St Andrew’s Close/Ouseley Road as key gateways into the historic core of the village.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 42 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

5. The conservation of the Church of St Andrew, the Baptist Church along the High Street, the Splash Mill and the George Inn public house as landmarks. Development should not detract from these buildings as landmarks. 6. The retention of the Church of St Andrew churchyard and the village green as points of focus. 7. The conservation of the avenue of mature chestnut trees along St Andrew’s Close that mark the approach to the Church of St Andrew. Conserve the southerly views to the church. 8. The conservation of northerly views across The Green from Windsor Road. 9. The conservation of north-easterly views to the Perseverance Public House (Listed Building) and Baptist Church along Wraysbury High Street.

Townscape Classification 3.74. The townscape classification for Wraysbury is shown on Figure 3.11.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 43 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 RBWM Townscape Assessment

Volume 2 Figure 3.11: Townscape Classification for Wraysbury

Key

Settlement boundary

Townscape Assessment

3. Historic Village Cores

5. Victorian Villages

8. Inter War Suburbs

10. Late 20th Century Suburbs (1960s onwards) 13Q 13. Leafy Residential Suburbs

14. Villas in a Woodland Setting

5F 5F 13R 10AN 8U 10AP 10AO 3C 13O

10AL 14C 10AM

5F 13P

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4. DESCRIPTION & EVALUATION BY TOWNSCAPE TYPE

4.1. Townscape types form the main unit for the character descriptions and evaluations. Generic townscape character information is divided into two parts: Part A the objective description and Part B the evaluation. These are structured as follows:

Part A: Description Location/distribution of type – an opportunity to explain the distribution of the type within that particular settlement;

Physical influences – the influence that underlying geology and topography have on the townscape type;

Human influences – evidence of evolution of the urban form, and period of predominant character;

Townscape character – this is presented under a number of sub-headings and forms the ‘meat’ of the description of townscape character.

Part B: Evaluation Condition – comment on the condition/quality of the townscape as observed during the field survey;

Forces for change – forces for change acting on the townscape as observed during field survey, supplemented by input from consultees;

Guidance/opportunities – recommended principles which, if followed, would help ensure new development and change integrates successfully with the existing character. 4.2. Townscape character types are generic, that is they may occur in more than one settlement across the Royal Borough. The photographs illustrating various principles have been selected from a variety of settlements across the whole Royal Borough and do not necessarily relate to the specific area being discussed. 4.3. Additional character area level information is presented following each townscape character type, drawing out any particular differences between the character areas, and special features that require different treatment from the generic townscape type.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 45 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

RBWM Townscape Assessment 46 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 1: TOWN HISTORIC CORES

Key Characteristics Historic town cores based on the development limits shown on maps at the end of the 18th century – including the medieval core and subsequent redevelopment. There is a clear hierarchy of roads and streets in the Town Historic Cores, usually comprising a main through-route (‘High Street’), with narrow lanes leading off, and even narrower enclosed pedestrian alleyways. Based on a Medieval fine-grained street and block pattern resulting in streets that are of human scale, often narrow, with buildings typically 2-4 storeys. Narrow, irregular building plots, irregular building frontages and rooflines create a stimulating and varied streetscape. An area of great time depth with a wide diversity of building styles and types, and richness of detail, united by a consistent palette of materials. Active building frontages open directly onto the street resulting in a vibrant character. Rich hard detailing of the streetscape, but few street trees. Open spaces often relate to churchyards, incidental spaces on street corners and private gardens and courtyards. Views are framed along streets to key landmarks, some of which are of Borough-wide importance.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 47 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION Physical Influences

Location/distribution of type The Town Historic Cores are located within the Thames Valley2. They tend to be located This townscape type occurs within the on dryer land, just outside the flood zone. towns of Eton, Maidenhead and Windsor. It Urban form often responds to topography. is based on the medieval extent of the town (usually similar to the built footprint in Human Influences 1800), but also includes additional development, redevelopment and ‘backland’ Evidence relating to the evolution of the development within those boundaries. townscape in the Town Historic Cores includes its structure and layout (Medieval), as well as a wide variety of buildings representing development and redevelopment over different periods from Medieval up to the present day. The result is a townscape with a great sense of time depth. Character is varied, but based on a Medieval layout.

Map showing extent of development in Windsor up to 18001.

Map showing Eton in the early 15th century3.

Townscape Character

Land Use/Image Key elements such as Eton College or

Windsor Castle often dominate the image of Maidenhead Historic Core. Ordnance Survey 1843- the Town Historic Cores. However, in 93, from the Landmark Group. Reproduced from Maidenhead there is an absence of a central Ordnance Survey information with the permission of focus. Land use is typically varied. The The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, presence of a large number of hotels, public Crown Copyright, Licence Number 10001926. houses and restaurants indicate the importance of the Historic Town Cores for

2 The former Countryside Agency (1999) Character Map of England, Vol.7. 1 Bond, M. (1984) The Story of Windsor, ‘Dr Astill’s 3 Balance, S. (1982) A Town Called Eton, ‘Plate 1 diagram showing the extent of the medieval town’, Map of Eton in the early 15th Century’, The Eton Local Heritage Books, Great Britain, p.34. Press Limited, Great Britain, p.13.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 48 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 tourism (particularly in Windsor/Eton) and the presence of former coaching inns indicates the past strategic importance of the towns on coaching routes. The Town Historic Cores are also the commercial and retail centres of the towns.

Lanes have relatively narrow widths compared to the height of the buildings (Church Street, Windsor). Coaching inns indicate the past strategic importance The block pattern is fine grained and of the towns on coaching routes, as in this example irregular, based on the Medieval layout. from Maidenhead. This is composed of narrow plots of irregular size and shape, often resulting in a Urban Form staggered building line. Buildings front There is a clear hierarchy of roads and directly onto the street. streets in the Town Historic Cores, usually comprising a main through-route (‘High Street’), with narrow lanes leading off, and even narrower enclosed pedestrian alleyways and mews between buildings (often pedestrianised).

Eton c.1860: Plot size and shape is irregular4. The densely developed Town Historic Cores present a varied form and building scale. Buildings are generally between 2 and 4 storeys, but the height of individual buildings This example from Eton demonstrates the network varies along a street resulting in a visually of distinctive alleys and mews – part of the Medieval interesting roofscape. street pattern.

There is generally a great sense of enclosure along these streets, particularly along the lanes and alleys which have relatively narrow widths compared to the height of the buildings. 4 Balance, S. (1982) A Town Called Eton, ‘Eton in about 1860’, The Eton Press Limited, Great Britain, p.174.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 49 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 with Georgian re-fronting, ornate Victorian brick and rendered buildings, Queen Anne Style buildings, as well as later infill and redevelopment (including neo-Georgian buildings). In Maidenhead, 19th Century buildings predominate, interspersed with 18th Century Georgian buildings including buildings with bow front elevations.

Buildings are a variety of ages and styles, but generally between 2 and 4 storeys, as in these examples at Windsor (above) and Maidenhead (below).

An intact Georgian Street (Park Street, Windsor).

There are a number of courtyards to the rears of High Streets accessed by traditional coaching arches. The arches provide memorable breaks in High Street façades.

Georgian architecture juxtaposed with Victorian buildings, Maidenhead.

Building frontages typically meet the street with no transitional space in between creating a clear interface between the private and public realms. Materials vary, depending on the age of the development, but are characterised by a palette of timber

(Windsor and Eton only), locally sourced Coaching arches, Eton High Street. warm orange-red brick (sometimes with black brick detailing), coloured stucco, and Built Form & Architecture natural honey coloured stone. There is a huge variation in built form and Many buildings exhibit a variety of features architecture in the Town Historic Cores due from a range of periods, revealing changes to the range of periods represented. This that have been made over the years. The contributes to a rich and varied townscape. result is rich detailing, including moulded Amongst the styles represented are 15th porches, bow windows, and a variety in the century two storey timber framed buildings, rhythm and pattern of facades. The variety 17th century buildings, medieval buildings of entrance types and scale often provides

RBWM Townscape Assessment 50 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 an irregular frontage to the street. The vary in style (but tend to be themed around roofline is also varied, with dormer black cast iron). windows, mansard roofs, and even dutch gables. Roofing materials are mainly orange- Street trees are not common in the Town red clay tile, with some slate. Chimneys are Historic Cores – they therefore do not make prominent, adding to the richness of the a strong contribution to the streetscape. roofscape. However, there are occasional mature trees on street corners and within churchyards.

Occasional street trees on corners, for example on A variety of architectural styles from a variety of the corner of Eton Court/High Street, Eton. periods, including modern infill and replacement buildings as seen here in Maidenhead.

Public Realm & Streetscape Since building frontages typically meet the street with no transitional space in between, the building line provides the boundary to the public realm (i.e. streetscape).

Streetscape materials in the Town Historic Cores comprise riven and flame finished York stone in some areas, Denner Hill setts (which are traditional local detail to carriageway entrances and drainage channels), granite pavers, cobbles and setts in pedestrian areas; and tarmac on roads. In some areas, original stone pavers have been replaced with tarmac, whilst reproduction concrete setts such as ‘Tegula’ are also visible. Kerbs are typically granite. Black cast iron bollards are also used to separate pedestrians and traffic. Pedestrianised main streets are often Street trees in planters are also characteristic as seen characteristic of the Town Historic Cores. In here in the pedestrianised High Street at recently pedestrianised areas materials Maidenhead. include concrete and clay pavers, and imitation stone setts. Open Space/Greenspace Although private gardens are generally not Street furniture varies across the Historic visible from the street, coach arches and Core. For example, lighting includes a variety mews or narrow alleys between buildings of styles including Victorian style cast iron provide memorable glimpses through to lanterns, while signage, bins and benches courtyard gardens (often private) – with

RBWM Townscape Assessment 51 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 occasional long views to the landscape streets and spaces ensures that the setting. These views provide a green environment is stimulating. backdrop to the townscape. B. EVALUATION There are very few open spaces in the Town Historic Cores. Churchyards provide breaks Condition in the built façade along the High Street and offer a quiet refuge. Vegetation tends to be The Town Historic Cores of both Windsor ornamental in character. and Eton are in good condition, exhibiting an intact street and block pattern, and Views/Landmarks preservation of many historic buildings. These areas of both good examples of this Views are generally channelled along streets, townscape type. framed by the buildings on either side of the street. There is a hierarchy of views, There has been some modification of plots dictated by the street pattern i.e. primary and changes to buildings, but this has views along the main routes; secondary generally been in accordance with local views up side streets and along narrow styles and materials. As a result the built lanes; and tertiary views down narrow environment of the core exhibits a variety in alleyways and through doorways/ coach form, but a consistency in materials. arches. Streetscape proportions are generally intact; The High Street is usually an historic route, however some streetscape details have been which provides framed views to landmarks, lost or altered, for example replacement of such as Windsor Castle, Eton Collage and surface materials (tarmac infill). or Churches. Landmarks within Maidenhead are of a smaller, more local scale. Forces for Change The Historic Core appears to be relatively stable in terms of change. However, there are some forces for change that were evident during field work. These include:

Redevelopment of plots at increased heights, changing the structure of the streetscape;

Loss of streetscape details, as well as wearing of old materials and Windsor Castle is an important Borough-wide replacement with new (such as concrete landmark; as seen in this view along Eton High roof tiles); Street near Windsor Bridge. Parking pressures; Experience Inappropriate restoration and The High Street of each Town Historic Core is maintenance of buildings leading to loss also the commercial and retail centre of the in details and richness of detail; town (and, also in many cases, attracts tourists). The presence of shops, galleries, Branding of street frontages, reducing restaurants, hotels and public houses the unique sense of place. presents a busy and vital town centre dominated by active frontages. The variety Town centres are central to national and in townscape and streetscape detail, regional planning policy and the delivery of presence of landmarks and hierarchy of homes, services and infrastructure. It can be anticipated that related pressures will continue to influence the historic core.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 52 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Guidance/Opportunities Reflect variation in roofline and roofscape, incorporating features such It is recommended that the following as mansard roofs, dormer windows and principles are taken into account in the chimneys. development design process and in public realm improvement projects: Conserve the palette of materials including timber, locally sourced orange The Medieval street and block pattern –red brick with black brick detailing, and the high density character – with coloured stucco, natural honey coloured narrow, irregular building plots and stone and clay and slate roof tiles. variation in building line and roofline. Buildings should typically be no more Renovations should be sensitive, using a than 4 storeys. traditional palette of materials and retaining period features such as The clear hierarchy of streets with main fenestration, doorways. through routes, smaller cobbled lanes (often pedestrianised), and narrow Development should demonstrate that it pedestrian alleys and mews. preserves and enhances the setting of Listed Buildings and respect the form The coordinated approach to street and function of local landmarks, furniture, paving and lighting. Regard particularly views to and from Windsor should be given to the historic setting, Castle conserving original features where possible. The coordinated approach to street tree planting, in terms of species and The retention of active frontages to the stature, giving consideration to the street. planting of larger trees at key visual locations. The retention and enhancement of historic and distinctive shopfronts, in The retention of important trees, preference to standardised corporate vegetation and open spaces, planning for shopfronts and insensitive illumination. new tree planting to ensure continuity Detailing should be consistent with of tree cover and a diverse age building style and architecture. structure.

Character Areas

1A Eton Historic Core This area is focused along Eton High Street, between Windsor Bridge and Barnes Pool Bridge. Its location on the River Thames (and proximity to Lammas land) has restricted the size of the town so that the town has not extended much beyond the Historic Core. The High Street (an historic route) is aligned with Windsor Castle and Eton College (both landmarks), providing views of Eton College Chapel from the north end of the High Street and of the Castle from the south end of the High Street. Windsor Bridge is an historic gateway (now pedestrianised) into Eton. The sense of vitality in Eton Historic Core is enhanced during the school term and the core is a particular draw for tourists. The special architectural and historic interest of this area is recognised through its designation as part of the Eton Conservation Area. The edges of the

RBWM Townscape Assessment 53 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 area fall within EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of a future flooding event), which may have implications for future management.

All the guidance above applies to Eton’s historic core, with particular emphasis on conserving close physical and visual links with Eton College (including views north to Eton College from the High Street) and Windsor Castle, and enhancing physical and visual links to its floodplain setting. One of the key issues is the management of traffic and car parking. Since the area is located in a flood zone, there may be a need for flood mitigation measures. It will be important to ensure that any flood mitigation is constructed using materials that fit with the historic character of the area – sustainable urban drainage systems may present opportunities to include new planting of native species that could enhance links to the floodplain landscape setting. Suitable native tree species include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Rowan, Aspen and Elder.

In addition, the historic gateways at Windsor Bridge and Barnes Pool Bridge should be conserved as key ‘arrival’ points into the historic core of Eton. Ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from the Parish Church of St John, as a landmark. Conserve the nodes at Windsor Bridge and near the junction of High Street/Keate’s Lane as points of focus in the townscape. Refer to the Eton Conservation Area Appraisal for further guidance.

1B Windsor Historic Core This character area is focused around Windsor Castle, coincident with the chalk outcrop on which the castle was built. The geology and topography contribute strongly to the character of the Historic Core with streets orientated to take account of landform. The Castle, Crown Land and tourism influence the image and land uses in the Windsor Historic Core. This area has a strong connection to its setting with pedestrian links to the Great Park, Eton (across Windsor Bridge) and Thames Path National Trail. The castle is a landmark in many views and the castle grounds provide a key open space. Other key open spaces include the area around the Guildhall and Church Street Gardens (on the site of cottages that burnt down around 1800). The sense of vitality in Windsor Historic Core is enhanced by tourism activity (Windsor Castle is a particular focus for tourists) and ceremonies such as the Changing of the Guard in which The Guard and Band march through the Historic Core.

The block pattern is generally intact, except for an area around River Street which has lost its structure and form and is currently used for car parking. There is a surviving area of historic paving around the Guildhall, but other areas have lost their historic streetscape details. However, Yorkstone has been reintroduced into recent repaving schemes e.g. Lower Thames Street and Peascod Street. Survival of granite kerbs is better throughout the area. Large street trees in planters are present along Peascod Street. The special architectural and historic interest of this character area is recognised through its designation as part of the Windsor Town Centre Conservation Area.

All the guidance above applies to Windsor’s historic core, with particular emphasis on management of traffic and car parking; conserving/enhancing the historic urban form, built character, streetscape details; and conserving/enhancing the physical/visual links with the Great Park and River Thames. Planting of native species could enhance links to the town’s setting - suitable native tree species with a parkland influence include Beech, Oak, Birch,

RBWM Townscape Assessment 54 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Ash, Sycamore, Cherry, Rowan, Hawthorn, Field Maple, Hazel, Hawthorn, Willow, Lime and non-natives include Horse Chestnut. Suitable species for the floodplain areas include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Rowan, Aspen, and Elder.

In addition, ensure the principal historic gateways (at Windsor Bridge, ‘Cambridge Gate’/‘Park Street Gate’, Sheet Street and at the southern end of Peascod Street) remain as key ‘arrival’ points into the historic core of Windsor. Maintain Windsor Castle as the primary landmark of Windsor, and conserve other landmarks in Windsor’s historic core (including the Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Market Cross House, the Queen Victoria Statue, the former Caleys building along Windsor High Street, and the King George Memorial). Ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from these landmark features. Ensure the junction of the High Street and Peascod Street (the location of Queen Victoria’s statue), Windsor Central Station and the northern end of Thames Street by Windsor Bridge continue to provide key nodes and points of focus in the townscape. Maintain views to the Castle from within Windsor’s historic core – for example, ensure the Castle remains as a focus in views from Windsor Bridge, Kings Road and Peascod Street. Refer to the Windsor Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal for further guidance.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 55 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 2: HISTORIC TOWN FRINGES

Key Characteristics Historic town fringes occur around the edges of the Historic Town Cores of the larger settlements of Maidenhead and Windsor. Land use is varied across this townscape type, and encompasses transport, offices, retailing/commercial, leisure/recreation, and civic uses. Urban form is defined by an altered street pattern, with historic routes terminated by ring roads, railways or large scale development plots. Block pattern is characterised by large scale buildings in large scale plots creating a large scale urban form of high density development. A wide variety of architectural styles, periods and building materials, including, Victorian brick built development and railway stations and very large scale commercial/office blocks in brick, concrete, plate glass and ‘fair face’ (decorative) blockwork. Larger amounts of open space than the adjacent Historic Town Cores - many of these spaces are semi-private, hard paved and often given over the car parking. Glimpsed views along alleys and narrow streets to key buildings in the adjoining Historic Town Cores are often a feature of the townscape experience. A colourful and busy urban environment, although of a less intensively used character than the adjoining Historic Town Cores.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 57 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION Substantial redevelopment is often a feature of the Historic Town Fringes, as seen in this example at Location/distribution of type Maidenhead. Historic Town Fringes occur around the edges [Reproduced from Ordnance Survey information with of the Historic Town Cores of the larger the permission of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, Licence Number settlements of Maidenhead and Windsor 10001926]. where they are often associated with Victorian infrastructure such as railway stations. Townscape Character

Physical Influences Land Use/Image Land use is varied across this townscape The Historic Town Fringes are located within type, and encompasses transport, offices, the Thames Valley5, although they tend to be retailing/commercial, leisure/recreation, and located on dryer land, just outside the flood civic uses. Car parking on backland sites zone. Urban form often responds to associated with these uses is a distinctive topography (where landform variation is characteristic. present). Vegetation makes few references to the underlying physical landscape, being drawn from a largely ornamental palette.

Human Influences The Historic Town Fringes are based on the extent of development after 1800, up to the late 19th Century. These areas display a considerable time depth and a multi layered character with much evidence of rebuilding and redevelopment. The evolution of the Historic Town Fringes is typically closely tied into the development of the railway. Commercial premises, offices and car parking, as shown in this example from Windsor. However, substantial redevelopment has since taken place. Within Windsor, the Urban Form presence of the Crown Estate has prevented the Historic Town Fringe extending to the east Urban form is defined by an altered street of the town. pattern, with historic routes terminated by ring roads, railways or large scale development plots. In addition, ring roads often carve through the historic fringe, creating barriers to movement.

Ring roads disrupt the historic street pattern 5 The former Countryside Agency (1999) (example from Windsor). Character Map of England, Vol.7.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 58 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 There are some remnant routes which connect to the Historic Town Core and these are important in maintaining a sense of time The Historic Town Fringes often include depth. notable examples of mid to late 19th Century brick built development, in orange- Block pattern is characterised by large scale red brick with slate roofs. Key buildings buildings in large scale plots creating a large include railway stations, with a notable scale urban form of high density Victorian style with steep pitched roofs and development. Where buildings are pulled glass train sheds, for example in Windsor’s close to streets this creates a great sense of Town Historic Fringe. enclosure. Civic buildings are often set back from the street within open space, creating a varied building line.

Windsor’s Victorian central railway station. Commercial development of brick, glass, concrete and blockwork, and often of Large buildings pulled close to street frontages ‘corporate’ character, and large scale, is also contribute to an enclosed character (Windsor). present, particularly in Maidenhead. This A wide variety of building scales is apparent, can often be seen juxtaposed with 19th with typically 3-4 storey development in Century buildings. Windsor and 3-5 storey and occasional larger buildings in Maidenhead. As such some variation in rooflines and building mass is visible. Urban form and the historic relationship of buildings to spaces is often interrupted by extensive areas of car parking which have been provided to service later 20th Century infill developments, and by ring roads which have in places radically altered the spatial configuration.

There are often nodes of activity within the Juxtaposition of late 19th Century development and later infill (example from Windsor). Historic Town Fringes, located around transport hubs or key community facilities. Building lines and roofscape are irregular and varied. A range of roof pitches and Built Form & Architecture styles including gable end and half hipped styles, in addition to flat roofs adds to the This type encompasses a wide variety of variety. architectural styles and periods, demonstrating a long history of Public Realm and Streetscape redevelopment, adaptation and replacement. However, this type is united by the large The interface between public and private scale of the built form. realms is clearly defined where buildings front directly onto streets. However, the

RBWM Townscape Assessment 59 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 division is less clear around newer developments where large paved semi-public spaces provide a transition between public and private realms.

Boundaries are represented by building frontages, although occasionally these are open e.g. stepped/raised courtyards. Paving is often concrete flagstones, with natural stone setts visible to roadside drainage gullies. Tarmac surfacing is frequent. Occasional references to historic character such as worked granite kerbstones, and heritage style lamp standards (in addition to Open space is often defined by extensive areas of modern lighting poles) and street furniture, car parking, as here at Maidenhead are also apparent. Greenspace is generally restricted to verges and lawns around civic buildings. These are There is particular emphasis on the historic usually ornamental in character, but contain streetscape in the Windsor Historic Fringe, some mature trees such as Cedar and notably around Windsor Central station. Robinia, in addition to maple and sycamore, Traditional style street furniture is visible that form the setting for such buildings, and here, as are ‘gas lantern’ type lamp help to break up the predominantly hard standards. Paving is often contemporary in urban character. style (including small paving blocks and large paving flagstones), yet sympathetic to the surrounding vernacular scale of paving.

The public realm is characterised by few mature trees. As such where these occur they make a notable contribution to streetscape in terms of form and stature (e.g. Cedar, Robinia).

Parking is concentrated in open air and covered car parks (including multi storey parking lots) which are often of large scale.

On street parking is visible in places. Open spaces and mature trees form settings to key Open Space/Greenspace civic buildings, as here at Maidenhead. There tends to be more open space in Views/Landmarks comparison to the adjacent Historic Town Due to the density and arrangement of built Cores. However, many of these spaces are development, views are generally kept short. semi-private, hard paved and often given However, there are important glimpsed over to car parking. The River Thames in views to landmark buildings within the Windsor and, to a lesser degree, the York adjacent Historic Town Cores. Key landmarks Stream in Maidenhead provide water within the Historic Fringe include large frontage. railway station buildings, as at Windsor.

The carving of the railways and ring roads through the Historic Town Fringes result in ‘un-designed’ views, including views towards the service areas of commercial properties.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 60 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Experience with more modern alternatives and imitation ‘heritage’ style paving and A busy urban environment of colourful and block pavers. eclectic character (particularly in the vicinity of infrastructure such as railway stations). Partial restoration of ‘heritage’ The townscape frontages are however streetscape including lamp standards and markedly less ‘active’ outside of the main street furniture. shopping areas than in the adjacent Historic Town Cores. The use of flood resistant/resilient design in relation to the built Contrast in built scale, building lines and environment. frontages creates rhythm and visual variety. Town centres are central to national and B. EVALUATION regional planning policy and the delivery of homes, services and infrastructure. It can be Condition anticipated that related pressures will continue to influence the historic town Street and block pattern has been altered by fringe. the introduction of railways and ring roads, leading to some loss of the historic street Guidance/Opportunities pattern. While some distinctive 19th Century buildings remain, and are generally It is recommended that the following well maintained, new buildings have eroded principles are taken into account in the character. The condition of 20th Century development design process and in public buildings is variable. The quality of the realm improvement projects: streetscape also varies due to replacement Take account of the historic street and of historic surfaces and boundaries with a block pattern, maintaining a continuous variety of newer, contrasting materials. frontage to the street.

Forces for Change Retain active frontages to the street.

Most changes to the street and block Improve visual and physical links to the pattern of the Historic Town Fringes have Historic Town Core, enhancing views to occurred in the past and this area is now landmarks where possible. fairly stable in terms of change. However, the following forces for change were evident Development should demonstrate that it during the site visit: contributes to the preservation of listed buildings and their setting. Continued redevelopment and development intensification including Conserve and enhance important ‘backland’ development. buildings which contribute to the special character of the area. Changes to street layouts and changes in traffic management. The apparent height of buildings should typically be 3-5 storeys. Taller buildings Continued pressure for car parking, should respect the form and function of particularly around civic buildings and to local landmarks, particularly views to the rear of premises within the Historic and from Windsor Castle. Cores. Sensitive contemporary design is Intensification of retail/commercial/office appropriate where it responds to development in close proximity to context in terms of height, scale and infrastructure such as railway stations. mass, and has regard to the adjacent Historic Town Core. Reference to local Continued declined in original or existing materials may be streetscape materials and replacement appropriate.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 61 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Use a coordinated approach to street Improve ‘un-designed’ views, such as furniture, paving and lighting. Regard views of service yards, through sensitive should be given to any historic setting in design and use of landscape planting. relation to buildings, conserving original features where possible. Seek opportunities to integrate waterways and their setting. Use a coordinated approach to street tree planting in terms of stature/form of Reduce the impact of parking provision trees and species. though sensitive design (including landscape planting and appropriate Seek to retain important trees, paving to relate to streetscape) to vegetation and open spaces, planning for ensure cars or car parks do not new tree planting to ensure continuity dominate. of tree cover and a diverse age structure.

Character Areas

2A Windsor Historic Fringe This local character area is built partly on the gentle chalk dipslopes descending from Windsor’s Historic Core, partly on the flat riverside (River Street/ Datchet Road) and partly on the low lying Reading Beds. It surrounds Windsor’s Historic Core. The castle (located in the Historic Core) is a primary landmark in many views from the Historic Fringe. Urban form within this area is based on a network of streets and lanes extending from Windsor Castle, some of which have been terminated by the railway and inner ring road. Built form is defined by an eclectic array of architectural styles and periods, with a considerable time depth evident. The area includes two Victorian railway stations, which are surrounded by modern infill development, often of a larger scale. Alexandra Gardens (a Victorian riverside park), ‘Bachelor’s Acre’, The Goswells, The Promenade and Bath Island are key greenspaces within this townscape area - trees within these spaces make a significant contribution to the appearance of the Historic Fringe. Multi-storey car park developments are also a reoccuring feature. Views to the Thames Valley floodplain and ‘The Brocas’ floodplain beside Eton are a feature of northern parts of this area. The north-western part of the character area falls within EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of a future flooding event), which may have implications for future management. The special architectural and historic interest of this area is recognised through its designation as part of the Windsor Town Centre Conservation Area.

All of the generic guidance presented above applies, with particular reference to enhancing links with the historic core, restoring historic layout and features of the fringe, protecting historic greenspaces, and maintaining physical and visual links with the floodplain setting. It will be important to ensure that any flood mitigation is constructed using materials that fit with the historic character of the area – sustainable urban drainage systems may present opportunities to include new planting of native species that could enhance links to the floodplain landscape setting. Suitable native tree species include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Rowan, Aspen, and Elder. In addition, maintain the railway canopy of Windsor Central station as a key landmark and ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do

RBWM Townscape Assessment 62 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 not detract from this landmark feature. Refer to the Windsor Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal for further guidance.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 63 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 3: HISTORIC VILLAGE CORES

Key Characteristics Historic Village Cores form the historic core of villages, usually associated with a village church, green or common. A considerable time depth is apparent with built development having evolved from the medieval period to the present day. A tight urban grain is created by relatively high density development with buildings often drawn close to street frontages. Built vernacular is varied, including timber framed buildings, some with original frontages, others with 18th /19th Century brick facings. Materials include local orange-red brick and clay tile, and a wider palette of ‘imported’ materials for 19th Century dwellings including yellow London stock brick, Gault brick and slate roofing. A variety of land uses (ecclesiastical, retail, commercial and residential) creates an active and vibrant townscape. Village greens and former market places provide important nodes with an open character. Intact and historic paving include riven yorkstone and worked granite kerbstones contribute to the time depth of the Historic Village Cores. Variety and rhythm created by varying building lines and roof heights, and texture created by the varied materials palette and façade detailing, contribute to a colourful and vibrant environment.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 65 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION Location/distribution of the type This type is located in long established villages throughout the Borough, including Datchet, Cookham and Wraysbury. Historic Village Cores also occur within the larger settlements of Windsor and Maidenhead where they relate to historic villages that have subsequently been subsumed within the urban fabric of these larger settlements. The type forms the oldest part of the village, usually centred on an historic market place, village green or grouping of buildings such as the church/ manor house.

Physical Influences Historic Village Cores are often located at the Topography underlying these villages tends convergence of key routes or at strategic crossing to be flat or gently undulating and therefore points, such as this example at Cookham. does not greatly influence the layout of 1843-93 Ordnance Survey Mapping from Landmark streets and plots. Geological and soil Group, reproduced from Ordnance Survey characteristics of the landscape are information with the permission of The Controller of expressed in the vegetation palette of the Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, historic core. Licence Number 10001926. Townscape Character Human Influences A considerable time depth is evident within Land Use/Image the Historic Village Cores, reflecting their long Land use varies widely, with evolution from the medieval period to the commercial/retail, ecclesiastical and present day. Historic Village Cores often residential all present. Medieval and later evolved at strategic crossing points of the cottages have often been adapted for River Thames, or at the convergence of key commercial premises at the ground floor trade routes, with the villages often centred level, particularly on the main streets or at on a village green, market cross, or church the convergence of principal roads. and manor house.

Residential and commercial premises are often juxtaposed, as in this example from Datchet.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 66 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Urban Form A wide variety of architectural details including mullioned casement windows and Urban form is defined by a tight grained hung sash windows creates considerable network of narrow streets with buildings variation to building facades as does the pulled close to street frontages. Built presence of oriel windows, period shop density is relatively high with buildings and fronts and shallow Georgian moulded high garden boundary walls often presenting porches. continuous frontages to the principal streets. Finishes including stucco and lime plaster create further variation in an often eclectic Block form is characterised by 2-2.5 storey architectural palette. buildings, often with irregular, cantilevered frontages and variable storey heights. Street proportions are typically narrow (usually in the order of 1:2), with narrow pavements characteristic. Market places and village greens provide a break in this predominantly tight grained, narrow streetscene, where they form important nodes.

Historic Village Cores contain a considerable diversity of built styles, periods and materials, as shown by these examples in Cookham High Street.

Rooflines and roofscape vary, with steep and shallow pitches, varying storey heights, and gable ends/gable frontages creating considerable variety and rhythm within the This example from Cookham illustrates the tight built environment. grained urban form with buildings pulled close to street frontages. Public Realm & Streetscape The interface between public and private Built Form & Architecture realm is clearly defined with buildings Architectural idiom and period varies widely typically opening directly on to the street. across the type, but with notable late High garden boundary walls, in orange-red medieval timber framed and jettied buildings brick, add to this sense of clarity and (with lime plastered wattle infill and black definition. Occasional short front gardens stained timber beams). Re-fronted medieval bounded by low boundary walls occur on buildings with brick elevations are also residential side streets. characteristic, using local red-orange brick. Roofs are typically steeply pitched and hung Streetscape materials include riven york with local orange-red clay tiles. 17th and 18th stone slabs to pavements with worked Century and Georgian brick buildings also granite kerbstones. Weathered yorkstone form an important component of the sett kerbs in warm bronze tones are also architectural vocabulary. Victorian infill is distinctive features of the streetscape. apparent with materials drawn from a wider Tarmac is, however, common across the palette, including London stock brick and townscape type both on roads and slate roofing tiles. pavements. Traffic calming schemes including raised blockwork speed tables are present.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 67 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 mature trees such as yews, contribute to the leafy character of the Historic Village Cores.

Village greens, often intensively managed, form foci for village cores, as seen here at Datchet.

Views/Landmarks Views are generally kept short due to the gently curved character of streets and the high density of development. Landmarks include church towers and spires, as seen in Boundary walls create a clearly defined interface the example below. between public and private realm, as in these examples from Cookham.

Open Space/Greenspace Other than private gardens, which are often of a leafy and ornamental character (although oak and beech trees form a distinctive component of the planting palette), there are few areas of greenspace within the type, in view of the relatively high built density. Nevertheless private gardens provide an important contribution to character. Church towers form local landmarks, as in the above Intensively managed village greens, example at Cookham. characterised by mown grass and mature specimen trees, including oaks of significant Experience stature, are distinctive and contribute This is an urban environment of active street strongly to the character of the village frontages and colourful, varied and vibrant cores. Street furniture, including timber character. Considerable movement, activity benches, is often present in these open and even congestion is created by spaces. Village greens often form the setting constricted street layouts. for focal features such as War Memorials or civic/municipal structures such as drinking fountains. Open spaces are otherwise hard/paved and small in scale, forming a setting for a market cross or a War Memorial. Churchyards, which include

RBWM Townscape Assessment 68 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 B. EVALUATION development design process and in public realm improvement projects: Condition Design to take account of the existing The high density, tight grained built form and scale and grain of built form. Buildings medieval street configuration remains intact should typically be 2 or 2.5 storeys with within this type. Built form, architecture frontages drawn close to the street. and detailing are also largely intact, with only a limited amount of unsympathetic infill, Take account of the variety and rhythm repair or restoration. of the streetscape. Buildings should reflect the staggered building line and The original focus for the village core e.g. varied roofscape including the use of groupings of buildings around a central steep and shallow pitches, varying storey green, small market place, church and/or heights and gable ends and frontages. manor house generally remains intact. The retention and enhancement of Within this type, two character areas have historic and distinctive shopfronts. been identified as being in particularly good Standardised corporate shopfronts and condition/intact examples of the type. insensitive illumination should be These are: avoided. Detailing should be consistent 3A: Datchet Village Core, Datchet with the architectural style. 3C: Wraysbury Village Core Reflect the eclectic and varied built vernacular, especially the character of Forces for Change front elevation and roofscape. The type is generally stable in terms of Conserve and seek opportunities to character and few forces for change were reinstate original façade details and noted on the site visit. Key forces for features such as windows (including change are as follows: mullioned casement windows and hung sash windows), porches (including Traffic and parking pressures (on street Georgian moulded porches) and original parking) doors consistent with the buildings architecture. Related ‘urbanising’ influences in connection with traffic management, Conserve original roof tiling (including including traffic calming schemes (road local orange-red clay tiles and slate tiles) narrowing and signage). and seek opportunities to reinstate these features where lost. Infill development which is generally well integrated, making subtle stylistic and The retention of mature trees (including material references to its existing built those in church yards and on village context. greens). Plan for new tree planting to ensure continuity of tree cover and a Replacement of heritage street lighting diverse age structure. Consider the with varied and modern designs. planting of larger trees in key visual locations. Increasingly ‘managed’ character of village greens with closely mown grass, Development should demonstrate that it railings and street furniture. preserves and enhances the setting of Listed Buildings and respect the form Guidance/Opportunities and function of local landmarks (e.g. views to and from these). It is recommended that the following principles are taken into account in the Development and management measures should seek to reduce the

RBWM Townscape Assessment 69 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 impact of parking provision through conserving original features where sensitive design to ensure cars do not possible. dominate the street. Regard should be given to the historic setting for street The management of village greens to furniture, paving, markings and signage, reinstate components of historic character.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 70 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Character Areas

3A Datchet Village Core, Datchet This area is focussed on the central village green. The village core displays a wide variety of built styles and periods including original and re-faced timber framed buildings with residential and commercial uses juxtaposed in proximity. White washed plaster and render is often visible, as are timber framed buildings such as Manor Hotel, on the village green. A relatively large amount of more modern infill development is visible. The special architectural and historic interest of this area is recognised through its designation as part of Datchet’s Conservation Area. Most of the character area falls within EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of a future flooding event), which may have implications for future management.

All of the generic guidance presented above is applicable to this character area, with particular reference to conserving and enhancing the relatively high proportion of intact period buildings and vernacular features, which create an architecturally varied, stimulating townscape. In particular the church and the Manor Hotel should be conserved as landmarks and views to them respected, ensuring that future changes to building heights and massing conserve their function as landmarks. The village green forms a key node or point of focus at the settlement scale and should be conserved. Within the Historic Village Core of Datchet, historic gateways are represented by the western approach to the village green from Eton Road, from the eastern approach to the green along Horton Road, from the north-east along London Road and the approach to the village core from the river to the south-west. These should be conserved to maintain a sense of arrival to the village core.

In addition, refer to any guidance written for Datchet Conservation Area.

In terms of appropriate native species for replacement tree planting, Datchet lies on partly on a geology of Reading Beds and partly on London Clay. Appropriate native tree species on the Reading Beds are Oak, Ash, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel, Elm, Elder, Crab Apple and Field Maple. On the London Clay appropriate native tree species are Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Field Maple, Hazel, Lime, Rowan, Aspen and Elder.

3B Clewer Village Core, Windsor This village core has been subsumed within wider urban fabric of Windsor. The southern end of the main village street (Mill Lane) was redeveloped in the 19th and early 20th century and includes two storey terraces and semi- detached properties. The buildings frame northerly views to the Lych gate and lodge at the entrance to the Church of St Andrew. The churchyard is a key open space within the area. The wide variety of remaining specimen trees within the former grounds of ‘White Lilies’ are key features, which strongly contribute to the leafy character of the area. The northern part of the character area fall within EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of a future

RBWM Townscape Assessment 71 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 flooding event), which may have implications for future management. Most of the area is designated as a Conservation Area (Mill Lane, Clewer Village).

All the generic guidance above applies to Clewer village core, with particular emphasis on maintaining structural vegetation (including mature trees in private gardens and the churchyard) and planning for new tree planting to ensure continuity of tree cover and a diverse age structure. Since the area is located in a flood zone, there may be a need for flood mitigation measures. It will be important to ensure that any flood mitigation is constructed using materials that fit with the historic character of the area – sustainable urban drainage systems may present opportunities to include new planting of native species that could enhance links to the floodplain landscape setting. Native tree species suitable for this floodplain setting include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Rowan, Aspen and Elder. In addition, ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from views to the Lych gate and lodge at the entrance to the Church of St Andrew. In addition, refer to any guidance written for Clewer Village Conservation Area.

3C Wraysbury Village Core This area is focussed on Wraysbury’s village green and the Church of St Andrew. The village core displays a variety of built styles built styles and periods including original, re-faced and later (Victorian) timber framed buildings with residential uses juxtaposed in close proximity. Such buildings include The George Inn (landmark) and The Perseverance Public House (both listed buildings). The large timber ‘splash mill’ is a landmark, which sits amongst timber framed dwellings arranged around a tree lined mill pond. The mature chestnut tree avenue leading to the Church of St Andrew (landmark) is a distinctive feature, framing views along St Andrews Close to the church. The area also comprises modern infill development. Most of the character area falls within EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of a future flooding event), which may have implications for future management.

All the generic guidance above applies to Wraysbury village core, with particular emphasis on maintaining structural vegetation (including the mature chestnut tree avenue leading to the Church of St Andrew) and planning for the future replacement of trees. Seek to maintain views to the church along St Andrew’s Close, across The Green from Windsor Road, and to the Perseverance Public House (Listed Building) and Baptist Church along Wraysbury High Street. In addition, maintain the Church of St Andrew churchyard and the village green as points of focus in the village, and ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from Church of St Andrew, the Baptist Church along the High Street, the Splash Mill and the George Inn public house as village landmarks. Conserve the junction of Wraysbury High Street/Windsor Road, the junction of The Green/Station Road, and the junction of St Andrew’s Close/Ouseley Road as key ‘arrival’ points into the historic village core of Wraysbury.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 72 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 4: GEORGIAN SUBURBS

Key Characteristics Residential suburbs built in the Georgian style, typically between c.1720 and mid 19th century. Two or three storey town houses (mostly terraces or semi-detached) are arranged along wide streets, along crescents, or around squares. Plots are typically long and narrow, often incorporating long back gardens. Boundaries are defined by low garden boundary walls and neatly clipped hedges, or railings, behind which lie short front gardens. Buildings are brick built and characterised by their symmetry and regularity of detail in a plain, elegant, often severe classical style. Sash windows with glazing bars, decorative wrought iron verandas, moulded porches and decorative front doors with intricate fan lights above create rhythm and interest along the street. Later buildings (Regency) are more decorated and particularly notable for their stucco work. Buildings present elegant frontages to the street contributing positively to the public realm. Chimneys contribute to a visually stimulating roofscape. Pavements include riven York stone with granite kerbs. Black heritage lamps contribute to the sense of time depth. Views are focussed along streets, framed by elegant facades, to local landmarks such as churches. Semi-public gardens (in crescents or squares), to be enjoyed by properties overlooking the gardens, are a particular characteristic of the Georgian Suburbs.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 73 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, Licence Number 10001926].

Townscape Character Location/distribution of type Land Use/Image Georgian Suburbs are rare in the Royal Land use is predominantly residential, Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. although local churches, public houses and There are just two discrete areas of hotels contribute to the diversity of land Georgian Suburbs, both close to Windsor’s use. Historic Core. Urban Form Physical Influences The street pattern in the Georgian Suburbs is Topography underlying these suburbs tends generally planned, arranged in a regular to be flat or gently undulating and therefore formation of wide streets, crescents, or does not greatly influence the layout of squares. Road junctions/ intersections act as streets and plots. Geological and soil local nodes, particularly where local characteristics of the landscape are landmark buildings (e.g. churches and hotels) sometimes expressed in the vegetation cause people to gather. palette of the semi-public gardens and private gardens, although species tends to be Georgian Suburbs comprise 2-3 storey ornamental in character. dwellings (in addition to basement levels) on long narrow plots, usually arranged in Human Influences terraces or semi-detached resulting in a medium density townscape with a regular The evolution of the Georgian Suburbs is building line fronting the street. closely linked to the expansion of large towns between c.1720 and the mid 19th Buildings are set back behind front gardens, century, forming some of the earliest town resulting in fairly wide street proportions. suburbs. Each suburb grew along principal Buildings have grand proportions, routes into the town’s historic core and was particularly along principal streets and planned, resulting in a regular structure and crescents. Buildings are sometimes angled layout. As a result, the Georgian suburbs at road junctions. Rear gardens tend to be have a relatively consistent time depth. longer than front gardens.

Georgian Suburbs comprise 2-3 storey dwellings, Each suburb was planned, resulting in a regular usually arranged in terraces or semi-detached as layout of streets seen here around Kings Road, Windsor. [1843-1893 Map Data supplied by Ordnance [1843-1893 Map Data supplied by Ordnance Survey and Landmark Information Group. Survey and Landmark Information Group. Reproduced from Ordnance Survey information with Reproduced from Ordnance Survey information with the permission of The Controller of Her Majesty’s the permission of The Controller of Her Majesty’s

RBWM Townscape Assessment 74 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, Licence Number 10001926]. Historically, stables and coach houses were located at the rear of large houses (still evident in coach arches to the street).

Regency style buildings have greater decoration, including distinctive moulded stucco, as seen here at Kings Road, Windsor.

Public Realm & Streetscape Buildings present their fronts to the street, Buildings often have grand proportions, as seen here contributing positively to the public realm. at Dorset Road, Windsor. There is a clear delineation between the

public and private realms, marked by front Built Form & Architecture garden boundaries which are usually Architecture is plain, elegant, and often in a enclosed by low brick walls combined with severe classical idiom which is characterised clipped hedges or railings, often with by symmetry and regularity of detail. decorative wrought iron gates. Restrained use of ornamentation includes Materials typically comprise riven York sash windows with glazing bars, decorative stone and imitation York stone or imitation wrought iron verandas, moulded porches stone sett pavements with tarmac roads. and decorative front doors with intricate fan Kerbs are typically granite, but sometimes lights above. The regular pattern of replaced by concrete. Black cast iron street windows and doors produces a rhythm lanterns contribute to the sense of time along the street. depth. Street trees are generally absent from these suburbs, although vegetation/ hedges in front gardens contribute positively to the townscape. Since these suburbs were not built to accommodate the car, on-street car parking is typical, except where parking restrictions have limited this – sometimes this has forced parked cars onto the forecourts/ into front gardens on properties.

Plain, elegant brick façades with decorative wrought iron verandas and fan lights (Kings Road, Windsor).

Earlier buildings are typically constructed from a light coloured brick while later Regency style buildings have greater decoration, including distinctive moulded stucco. Roofs are generally pitched with end gables and tiled with slate. Chimneys are plain and large in scale, indicating the Cast iron street lamps contribute to the sense of time spacious interior room proportions – these depth within the Georgian Suburbs, as seen here at contribute to the rhythm along the street Adelaide Square, Windsor. and a visually interesting roofscape.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 75 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 Open Space/Greenspace Experience Semi-public gardens (in crescents or The planned street layout and rhythm of squares), to be enjoyed by properties facades/ roofs provides a comfortable, overlooking the gardens, are a particular reassuring environment. The variety in characteristic of the Georgian Suburbs e.g. architectural and streetscape detail ensures Clarence Gardens in Windsor. The gardens that the environment within the Georgian often contain winding gravel pathways, lawns Suburbs is stimulating. Small front gardens and a variety of mature trees. The gardens provide a human scale and create visual provide a ‘picturesque’ setting to the houses interest. in Clarence Crescent. B. EVALUATION Other open space is privately owned, for example churchyards and town house gardens (an 18th century invention). These provide a valuable contribution to the Condition streetscape. Of particular note are the clipped small leaved hedges, such as privet The Georgian Suburbs in the Royal Borough and beech, which are a characteristic feature are designated as Conservation Areas and of the Georgian suburbs. The purple leaves therefore tend to be in good condition, of copper beech within front gardens exhibiting an intact street and block pattern provide seasonal variation and interest and good survival of architectural and amongst this plain, elegant townscape. streetscape detail. Changes to buildings have generally been in accordance with local Views/Landmarks styles and materials. Views are channelled along straight streets, Both of the character areas within this type framed by the regular facades of buildings on are judged to be in good condition/intact either side. Crescents provide a changing examples of the type (areas 4A: Kings sequence of views, often revealing the Road/Adelaide Square and 4B: Clarence architecture of the buildings on one side of Crescent/Trinity Place. the street, and semi-public gardens on the other. There are also occasional views Forces for Change down narrow alleyways, or though coach arches, between buildings. Churches often The Georgian Suburbs appear to be relatively provide local landmarks within the Georgian stable in terms of change. However, there Suburbs such as Holy Trinity Church in are some forces for change that were Windsor. evident during the site visit. These include:

Loss of front gardens and garden boundaries to accommodate off road parking.

Replacement of low garden boundaries with taller, impermeable fences or hedges altering the relationship between public and private realms.

Some inappropriate restoration and alteration of buildings including concrete Churches often provide points of focus/ local roof tiles and replacement uPVC landmarks e.g. Holy Trinity Church in Windsor. windows and doors.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 76 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 sash windows with glazing bars, verandas, moulded porches and decorative front doors with fan lights above.

Conserve the Georgian palette of materials including light coloured brick (to match the existing), stucco and slate roof tiles.

Seek to conserve traditional low brick Loss of front gardens to accommodate off road boundary walls, conserving traditional parking has altered the character of the streetscape front garden boundaries with low walls in places. and clipped small leaved hedged (such as privet) and/or iron railings. Aim to Guidance/Opportunities retain garden areas and boundaries, avoiding full width hardstanding. It is recommended that the following principles are taken into account in the Development should demonstrate that it development design process and in public preserves and enhances the setting of realm improvement projects: Listed Buildings. New design should take account of the Conserve semi-public garden areas. Georgian street layout and street proportions. Buildings should be in The use of small scale shrubs and trees scale with the street in terms of width in front gardens which are in scale with and height. the street and do not obscure the architectural and façade character. Maintain the consistent building line. Development, including extensions, The retention of important trees, which steps out of line with or interrupt including those in gardens and semi- the rhythm of the street should be public open spaces, planning for new avoided. tree planting to ensure continuity of tree cover and a diverse age structure. Reflect the use of pitched roofs with gable ends and chimneys, with roofs The planting of larger trees in key visual finished in slate. locations.

Conserve and seek opportunities to Use of a coordinated approach to street reinstate Georgian detailing, particularly furniture, paving and lighting.

Character Areas

4A Kings Road/ Adelaide Square Located south of Windsor Historic Core, this area is focused on Sheet Street, Kings Road and Adelaide Square. Sheet Street/ Kings Road forms an historic route between Windsor and Old Windsor and terraced houses were built along this route. The special architectural and historic interest of the character area is recognised through designation as part of the Inner Windsor Conservation Area. Eastern parts of the area

RBWM Townscape Assessment 77 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 (including Brunswick Terrace) belongs to the Crown and forms part of the ‘Keppel Estate’, purchased during the 19th Century by predecessors of the now Crown Estate Commissioners. Home Park Historic Park and Garden, forms the eastern boundary of, and setting to, this area. This provides accessible open space and views to Windsor Castle from rear windows. There is a variety of building scales in this area. The terraces on the northern side of Adelaide Square are two storey – these contrast with the semi-detached houses on Gloucester Place and the south side of Adelaide Square which are set well back from the street. In this area some front gardens and garden boundaries have been partially lost to accommodate off road parking.

All of the guidance above applies to this area. In addition, ensure the Castle remains as a focus in views from Kings Road and ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from views to the Castle along Kings Road. The presence of Home Park Historic Park and Garden means special care should be taken when considering any changes to the townscape, ensuring that changes do not adversely affect the historic park. Also, any guidance written for the Inner Windsor Conservation Area should be taken into account.

4B Clarence Crescent/ Trinity Place Located south-west of Windsor Historic Core, this area is focused on Clarence Crescent and Trinity Place. The special architectural and historic interest of the character area is recognised through designation as part of the Trinity Place/Clarence Crescent Conservation Area. Although Clarence Crescent is particularly distinct in its crescent layout and built form, it forms part of an overall planned layout that includes Trinity Place, Clarence Road, Dorset Road and Claremont Road, with Holy Trinity Church as a focal point. The area was built after the Georgian period (c.1842); however the built form, scale and details are typically Georgian in style. The houses along Clarence Crescent overlook a semi-public garden which is accessible to ‘key holder’ residents. Gardens are key greenspaces in this area and their associated trees make a valuable contribution to the streetscape. Holy Trinity Church and the former Princess Christian Hospital on Clarence Road are key landmarks. There are a number of court yards to the rear of Clarence Crescent accessed by traditional coach arches which provide breaks in building façades. Front gardens and garden boundaries have been partially lost along Trinity Place and Dorset Road, to accommodate off road parking. Northern parts of this suburb fall within EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of a future flooding event), which may have implications for future management.

All of the guidance above applies to this area. In addition, the former Princess Christian Hospital on Clarence Road and Holy Trinity Church at Trinity Place should be conserved as landmarks and ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from views to these buildings. In addition, refer to any guidance written for Trinity Place/Clarence Crescent Conservation Area.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 78 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 5: VICTORIAN VILLAGES

Key Characteristics Victorian Villages grew up in the later 19th century on principal routes or around railway stations. Urban form is defined by a hierarchy of principal village streets and secondary side streets, with narrow building plots. Rows of terraces and semi-detached properties, typically 2-2.5 storeys, contribute to a townscape of human scale. Highly detailed building frontages and variation in rooflines create a stimulating streetscape, particularly on the main village street. Unity is provided by a consistent palette of materials and time depth (c1837-1910). Rich detailing of the streetscape (including elaborate paving patterns, some York stone pavers and Victorian style streetscape elements such as street lights and bollards) contribute to a stimulating environment. Views along streets are framed by a strong building line. Landmarks include churches, while schools, public houses and railway bridges/stations form local focal points. There are few street trees, but ornamental planting within small front gardens of residential properties and small village greens contribute positively to the streetscape. Since these villages were not built with the car in mind, on street parking is often a feature of the streetscape. Commercial buildings front directly onto the principal streets resulting in a vibrant character.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 79 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION Ordnance Survey and Landmark Information Group. Reproduced from Ordnance Survey information with the permission of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, Licence Number 10001926]. Location/distribution of type Victorian Villages evolved as new settlements This townscape type includes villages rather than being attached to existing town throughout the Borough that evolved centres or suburbs – this is what sets them between 1837 and 1910 on strategic routes apart from the Victorian and Edwardian or in close proximity to railway stations, Suburbs. including Ascot, Broomhall, South Ascot and Wraysbury. Some Victorian Villages have now been subsumed within the wider urban Townscape Character fabric of the larger settlements of Windsor Land Use/Image and Maidenhead. Land use is mainly residential, although Physical Influences Victorian Villages tend to have a commercial and retail centre. The presence of schools, The underlying physical landscape has little churches, public halls, hotels, public houses, influence on the character of the townscape restaurants and shops contribute to the – townscape character derives from the diversity of land use. Due to their close distinctive urban form relating to the proximity to these commercial/retail centres Victorian period. An exception is the hilly and train stations, dwellings in these villages (eastern) part of Sunninghill Victorian Village, provide highly sought after residences. where streets follow contours. Urban Form Human Influences There is a clear hierarchy of roads and The evolution of the Victorian Villages is streets in the Victorian Villages with main closely linked to the development of through routes (often the ‘High Street’ or transport routes; particularly the railways. main village street), with secondary Each village grew rapidly during c1837-1910 residential streets which are typically along principal routes, with a regular narrower. There are also enclosed structure and layout, typical of Victorian pedestrian alleyways between buildings, development. The result is a townscape particularly on the main village street. with a consistent time depth, but varied built Roads tend to be linear, although the main character, reflected in several distinctive village street is sometimes curved to follow townscape character areas. historic road layouts, or to take account of topography. Rows of local shops, often close to railway stations or road junctions, form nodes where people congregate.

There is a difference in urban form between the main village streets and residential side streets. The main village streets are wider than side streets, typically in the order of 1:1, with larger buildings (typically 2 to 3 storeys) and no front gardens. Plots tend to be narrow and irregular and buildings are often staggered, resulting in irregular building frontages and rooflines – this creates a stimulating streetscape. Building frontages open directly onto the street Victorian Villages often developed in close proximity resulting in a vibrant character. Backland to railways [1891-1912 Map Data supplied by development (accessed by lanes and alleys)

RBWM Townscape Assessment 80 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 has occurred along most village streets, unified built style, with two storey brick built resulting in shortened plots and higher cottages (terraces and semis) and larger densities. There is generally a strong sense buildings along main village streets. School of enclosure along the side lanes and buildings, churches/chapels and public pedestrian alleys, which have relatively houses add to the variety of built form. narrow widths compared to the height of the buildings. Building styles are characteristic of mid-late Victorian and early-Edwardian architecture.

The residential streets comprise brick built dwellings with ground level projected bay windows, second storey sash windows with stone sills, projected porches with arched frontage, recessed entrance doorways with stained glass windows and prominent (often embellished) chimneys on steep pitched, slate roofs (sometimes with front gables). Façades are often uniform and repetitive along a street, with these details Narrow lane leading to backland development contributing to a rhythm along the street. (example from Ascot). Details include red clay tile hanging on Side residential streets are narrow, more second storey facades, roof finials and gault typically in the order of 1:2, and consist of brick building edges and stone identity smaller terraced 2 storey houses on regular plaques engraved with the cottage name and narrow plots. Frontages are either directly date of construction. The palette of onto the street or set back behind small materials includes warm red brick, light gault front gardens. brick, and slate roof tiles.

Façades are often uniform and repetitive along a street, as in this example from Ascot.

Public Realm & Streetscape Plot size and shape differs along main village streets and side streets. Along main village streets, building frontages typically meet the street with no transitional Large historic buildings (such as country space in between. Here, the building line houses, manors, lodges and gatehouses to provides a clear boundary between public large estates) are sometimes seen as large and private realms. On residential roads, irregular plots amongst rows of terraces and small front gardens are often evident, semis. bounded by low brick walls with clipped hedges and/or wrought iron railings – these Built Form & Architecture are particularly important features of the Victorian Villages were built relatively rapidly streetscape. between c.1837-1910 and as such display a

RBWM Townscape Assessment 81 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 Streetscape materials typically comprise density urban environment. These often riven York stone and imitation York stone contain mature trees including horse pavements, tarmac on roads and imitation chestnut, rowan, cherry and lime. Privately stone setts (on pavements and roads). owned open space, including school grounds Kerbs are typically granite but replacement and churchyards, contribute to vegetation concrete kerbs are common. Black cast within this built-up townscape type. iron bollards are used to separate pedestrians and traffic along main village streets.

Street furniture includes a variety of styles but tend to be themed around black cast iron. This includes Victorian style cast iron Open spaces, such as village greens, provide valuable lanterns, signage, bins and benches. breaks in this built-up townscape type (example from Overhead wires are particularly noticeable South Ascot). in residential streets. Views/Landmarks Street trees are generally absent from the main village streets of the Victorian Villages. Views are generally channelled along streets, However, trees and vegetation within small framed by the buildings on either side. front gardens make a valuable contribution There is a hierarchy of views, dictated by to the streetscape. Tree/shrub species the street pattern i.e. primary views along within private gardens are mostly drawn the main routes and secondary views up side from a semi-ornamental palette and are streets, and occasional views down narrow small scale, providing visual interest and alleyways and between buildings. human scale.

Views are framed by buildings along streets, sometimes to a wooded landscape setting, such as Residential streets generally comprise two storey this view from Brockenhurst, South Ascot. terraces – small front gardens contribute to the streetscape character (example from North Ascot). Views to the landscape setting contribute to Since these villages were not built with the a strong sense of place, as the species often car in mind, on street parking is a feature of reflect the underlying geology i.e. yew on the streetscape, often resulting in traffic alkaline soils; pines on acidic sandy soils. congestion on the main village streets. As a Church spires/towers, which are often consequence some front gardens have been visible from outside the villages, form local partially removed and replaced with gravel/ landmarks while train stations and schools hardstanding to allow off-street parking. provide local focal points.

Open Space/Greenspace Experience Distribution of open space is limited and The main village streets of Victorian Villages generally restricted to private gardens, are dominated by active frontages, occasional village greens/ pockets of open contributing to a sense of vitality. The space at road junctions, resulting in a high permeability of the townscape (a result of

RBWM Townscape Assessment 82 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 many through-routes) and the human scale Redevelopment of consecutive plots at of the streets ensures a comfortable space. different heights and building The rich architectural and streetscape proportions, changing the skyline and detailing, presence of landmarks and scale of the streetscape within hierarchy of streets and spaces ensures that residential streets. the environment is stimulating. Parking pressures, including loss of front B. EVALUATION gardens to accommodate off road parking in residential side streets.

Replacement of low garden boundaries Condition with tall, impermeable fences or hedges leading to an increasing sense of Victorian Villages are generally in good enclosure in residential areas. condition, exhibiting an intact street and block pattern. Building lines and plots have Loss of details and replacement with been modified in places, particularly along modern materials including concrete tile the main village street. roofs and UPVC windows, porches and doors. Boundaries are in particularly variable condition with many garden boundaries lost Extensions and alterations to buildings, to accommodate parking, or replaced with which breach the building line and modern alternatives – this has had a change the roofscape (including enclosed substantial impact on streetscape character. porches, loft extensions and dormer windows). Piecemeal changes to architecture, including replacement windows and doors, re-facing Erection of large scale signage along of frontages (including pebble dash and village streets, masking architectural mock stone), replacement of slate tiles by features such as doors, windows and concrete tiles, and addition of porches, have wall details (including brickwork). eroded character and interrupted the rhythm of the street. Guidance/Opportunities Within this type, three character areas are It is recommended that the following judged to be in particularly good principles are taken into account in the condition/intact examples of the type: development design process and in public realm improvement projects: 5A: Eton Wick Victorian Village Take account of the clear hierarchy of 5B: Old Windsor Victorian Village streets with principal through routes 5C: St Leonard’s Road, ‘Spital’ Victorian and residential side streets. Buildings Village, Windsor should reflect the staggered building and variation in roof line on main streets. Buildings should typically be 3 storeys Forces for Change high on main streets / corners and 2 Some of the Victorian Villages appear to be storeys on side streets. well maintained and in a stable state while others are in a declining state. Forces for Design should take account of the change that were evident during the site visit primary views along the main routes and include: secondary views up side streets, and occasional views down narrow alleyways Redevelopment of plots along main and between buildings. village high streets with front off-street parking areas, changing the structure Take account of the Victorian street and and visual appearance of the streetscape. block pattern of regular streets and

RBWM Townscape Assessment 83 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 narrow plots with domestic scale Development should conserve the use buildings. Development that does not of traditional low brick boundary walls respond to the scale, grain and urban and low clipped hedged and/or cast form should be avoided. railings. Aim to maintain a continuous frontage and to retain garden areas and Retain active street frontages. boundaries, avoiding full width hard standing. Reflect the rhythm and variation of roofscape. Insensitive development that Consideration should be given to the would disrupt this rhythm should be use of small scale shrubs and trees in avoided. front gardens which are in scale with the street and do not obscure the Conserve and seek opportunities to architecture. reinstate Victorian detailing, including steep gabled roofs, timber sash windows Manage school grounds, church yards with stone sills, wall details (e.g. and village greens to maintain structural brickwork) unenclosed porches, vegetation, particularly mature trees, to balconies, fanlights above doorways and provide a string visual link to the recessed porches with decorative brick landscape setting. arches. Retain important trees, including those Conserve and make reference to the in gardens and on tree lined roads, Victorian palette of materials including planning for new trees to ensure warm red brick, gault brick, natural continuity of tree cover and a diverse stone and slate or red clay roof tiles. age structure. Species commonly use by Victorians for street trees include lime, Development should demonstrate that it ornamental cherry and London plane. preserves and enhances the setting of Listed Buildings and respect the form Use a coordinated approach to street and function of local landmarks (e.g. furniture, paving and lighting. churches, train stations and schools).

Character Areas

5A Eton Wick Victorian Village This village lies on an open floodplain, approximately 2km west of Eton. The village has a linear urban form, focused along Eton Wick Road. Development in Eton Wick has been influenced by Eton College and surrounding Lammas / Common land, which provides an open rural setting to the village. The main village street has a residential character; lined with terraces and semis detached cottages. St John the Baptist’s Church and the Village Hall are local landmarks. The Victorian primary school adjacent to the church is a local node. Residential side streets are lined with terraces and semi detached cottages e.g. Victoria Road. Tilson Bridge is a key gateway into the village, from Dorney Common. The belt of trees/shrubs (possibly a former hedgerow) in the central median between Eton Wick Road (western end) is a distinctive feature. The village is partially covered by EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of a future flooding event), which may have implications for future management.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 84 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 All of the guidance above applies to this area. In particular, seek opportunities to enhance the character and appearance of the main village street. Consider opportunities to create gateways that signal ‘arrival’ at the eastern and western entrance points into the village, along Eton Wick Road (e.g. Tilson Bridge). Ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from St John the Baptist’s Church and the Village Hall, as landmarks. In addition, maintain the historic junction of Eton Wick Road and Sheepcote Road and the junction of Eton Wick Road and Bell Lane as nodes. Consider the appearance of the settlement in views from Windsor Castle and across the floodplain (e.g. from South Field) and ensure St John the Baptist’s Church remains a focus in westerly views from Eton Wick Road.

5B Old Windsor Victorian Village This village lies on a broad, flat floodplain, south of Windsor. It has a linear urban form, focused along two main village roads, including Straight Road and St Luke’s Road. The junction northern end of St Luke’s Road is the commercial centre, comprising active building frontages. Elsewhere, the main village roads have a residential character. The village has evolved in two areas, which are separated by post war residential infill. ‘The Tapestries’ and the Victorian Church on Church Road are landmarks while the Fox and Castle public house (c. 15th Century, listed building) is a local focal point. The village green in front of the Fox and Castle is intact, providing a key greenspace. The northern landscape setting is defined by Home Park (Historic Park and Garden), which provides an open rural setting to the village (slightly disrupted by the A308/Datchet Road roundabout). Residential side streets are lined with terraces and semis detached cottages e.g. Albany Road, Orchard Road and Newton Lane. The village is partially covered by EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of a future flooding event), which may have implications for future management.

All of the guidance above applies to this area. In particular, seek opportunities to create gateways that signal ‘arrival’ at the northern entrance into the village, along Albert Road and Datchet Road, and ensure the Copper Horse remains a focus in northerly views from the Albert Road junction. Consider enhancing the character and appearance of Straight Road and St Luke’s Road through street tree planting of species that are characteristic of Victorian areas (or smaller species where space is tight). Maintain northerly views along Straight Road to the Royal Gardens Lodge, at the entrance to Home Park (Grade II listed building outside the settlement boundary) and ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from ‘The Tapestries’ as landmark features of Old Windsor. Maintain the village green in front of the Fox and Castle Public House (Grade II listed building) as a node and gathering place and seek opportunities to improve the setting of this building, ensuring that parking does not dominate visually.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 85 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 5C St Leonard’s Road, ‘Spital’ Victorian Village, Windsor Located immediately south of the Combermere Barracks, this village has been subsumed within the wider urban fabric of Windsor The village is focussed along St Leonard’s Road (formally called ‘Spital Road’), which provides the focus of commercial activity. Secondary streets are defined by relatively small Victorian dwellings often arranged as terraces and semi detached properties, on uniform linear streets including Bolton Road, Victor Road and Bourne Avenue. The village has a large proportion of open space, including Windsor Cemetery, allotment gardens (which established during the war) and playing fields. Part of the southern boundary adjoins Windsor Great Park (Historic Park and Garden), which provides accessible open space. The Stag and Hounds public house (listed building) is a local focal point. In addition, the trees at the entrance of the former hospital site and the entrance to Combermere barracks, were defined as valuable features during the stakeholder consultation workshop on 23rd September 2008.

All of the guidance above applies to this area. In particular, ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from the Stag and Hounds public house, as a local focal point in the village. Conserve the large proportion of open space within the village and seek opportunities to enhance the relationship of the village to its historic parkland setting – opening up visual and physical links to Windsor Great Park. Conserve distinctive trees within the village, including the trees at the entrance of former hospital site and the entrance to Combermere Barracks.

5D Clewer Green and Clewer New Town Victorian Village, Windsor This village is focused around Hatch Lane and Parsonage Lane, and has been subsumed within the wider urban fabric of Windsor. The village has a linear urban form, which grew up around several important buildings, including The Convent of St John the Baptist (listed building), Clewer Hall and Clewer Manor. St Andrew’s Hospital (a Victorian hospital) and adjacent Almshouses have been replaced with 2-5 storey post war residential flats and commercial infill along Dedworth Road (principal village road). The redevelopment of plots has changed the scale, structure and visual appearance of the streetscape. Secondary streets are defined by relatively small Victorian dwellings often arranged as terraces and semi detached properties, with post war residential infill. These are arranged on uniform linear streets including Oak Lane, Gordon Road and Nelson Road. The village has a wooded backdrop, due to its close proximity to the grounds of Clewer Manor (to the east) and the Rectory (north of Parsonage Lane). Key remaining species include oak, ash, yew, scots pine, birch, horse chestnut and Norway maple. Privately owned open space, including the grounds of the Convent, the hospice along Clewer Hill Road and the Victorian primary school at Hatch Lane, provide key greenspaces within this area. Early 20th century two storey ‘Arts and Craft’ style houses set well back from the road within large established gardens contribute to a ‘leafy’ character along Hatch Lane. The village is partially covered by EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of a future flooding event), which may have implications for future management.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 86 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 All of the guidance above applies to this area. In particular, conserve the wooded backdrop of the village and ‘leafy’ streetscape character of Hatch Lane, and ensure any additional planting within the area is drawn from the existing palette of species of oak, ash, yew, scots pine, birch, horse chestnut and Norway maple where possible. Plan for the future replacement of trees species in the gardens of the ‘Arts and Craft’ style houses along Hatch Lane.

5E Dedworth Victorian Village, Windsor This village is focussed along Dedworth Road, in west Windsor. It has a linear urban form, with several Victorian dwellings spaced along the principal route. Church Lane is an intact Victorian street which grew up next to All Saints Church (demolished; replaced with a modern church). The Atlas Cedar tree next to All Saints Church was defined as a valuable feature during the stakeholder consultation workshop. As a whole, key characteristics central to the Victorian Village are difficult to recognise in this area, due to extensive redevelopment of plots and large amount of modern infill with off-street parking areas, such as superstore developments. This has changed the structure of the townscape. In addition, the redevelopment of consecutive plots at different heights and building proportions has changed the skyline and scale of the former Victorian Village streetscape.

All of the guidance above applies to this area. In particular, the focus should be to restore and re-instate the Victorian street and block pattern of regular streets and narrow plots with domestic scale buildings with a continuous frontage to the street. In addition, seek opportunities for planting and ensure that large off-street parking areas (e.g. in front of superstores) do not dominate the streetscape. Maintain distinctive trees within the townscape, including the Atlas Cedar tree next to All Saints Church, and consider opportunities for planting of new trees as focal points and features within the village.

5F Wraysbury Victorian Village

RBWM Townscape Assessment 87 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 This village lies on a broad, flat floodplain, east of Wraysbury Historic Village Core. It has a linear urban form, focused along Staines Road and Station Road, which form the main route through the village. The presence of public houses, restaurants and shops, provide active building frontages along the main village road north of Windsor Road. Elsewhere, the main village roads have a residential character. There are key north-easterly views along Wraysbury High Street to the Baptist Chapel (a village-wide landmark located within Wraysbury Historic Village Core). The village has evolved in two areas, which is separated by Station Road Leafy Residential Suburb (13R). Northern parts of the village have evolved around Tithe Farm, Bowry’s Farm and Wyrardisbury House (listed buildings) and still retain their rural character, located on the edge of the settlement. The agricultural land that once bordered the village is now dominated by large water bodies. This has restricted expansion of built development and their well treed margins enclose views from the village. The edges of the village are partially covered by EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of a future flooding event), which may have implications for future management.

All of the guidance above applies to this area. In particular, ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from north-easterly views along Wraysbury High Street to the Baptist Chapel; and maintain the historic gateway at the junction of Wraysbury High Street/Windsor Road as a key ‘arrival’ point into the village.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 88 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 6: VICTORIAN AND EDWARDIAN SUBURBS

Key Characteristics Medium-high density residential suburbs built in the Victorian/Edwardian style, typically between c.1837 and 1910, displaying considerable architectural and stylistic uniformity. Victorian ‘grid’ street pattern with a hierarchy of principal through streets and narrow side streets and typically narrow plots. Block pattern is regular, consisting of short and long 2 storey terraces with some larger semi detached 2 or 3 storey dwellings on principal streets. Façades are uniform and repetitive along a street, with hung sash windows and simple doorways in recessed porches contributing to a rhythm along the street, and articulation provided by bay windows. Variety is provided by dressed stone façade details, mouldings and stucco work. Roofs are pitched and typically tiled in natural slate - chimneys contribute to a visually stimulating roofscape. Streetscape details include granite kerbstones, York stone pavers (where they remain) and period lamp standards (black cast iron theme). Short front gardens are bounded by low brick walls sometimes combined with clipped hedges or black railings. Views are focussed along streets, framed by rhythmic facades, to local landmarks such as churches. Pubs and corner stores provide local focal points. A relatively high density urban environment, with few street trees. On street parking is a notable characteristic of this high density townscape type.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 89 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION Townscape Character

Land Use/Image

Location/distribution of type Land use is predominantly residential, occurring in a planned Victorian street Victorian and Edwardian Suburbs are located layout of terraced and semi-detached in the larger settlements of Windsor, dwellings. Supporting community Maidenhead, Datchet and Eton. Areas of infrastructure such as churches, public Victorian and Edwardian Suburbs are often houses and village stores are also visible close to Historic Cores, as these were some within this type. of the earliest residential suburbs to be built.

Physical Influences The underlying physical landscape has little influence on the character of the townscape – townscape character derives from the distinctive urban form relating to the Victorian and Edwardian periods.

Human Influences

The type evolved over a relatively short period, in the mid to late Victorian and Edwardian eras, and as such displays Residential land use predominates, as seen here at Maidenhead. considerable architectural and stylistic uniformity, with all built development in a recognisably Victorian/Edwardian idiom.

Village stores on street corners (Maidenhead).

Urban form Urban form is defined by long streets running parallel to one another, on a classic Development evolved rapidly over a short timescale, Victorian ‘grid plan’. Occasional curvilinear leading to uniformity in form and architecture. streets radiating from community facilities [1891-1912 Map Data supplied by Ordnance such as churches are also characteristic. Survey and Landmark Information Group. Principal streets are wide, with a lower Reproduced from Ordnance Survey information with density of larger buildings compared to the the permission of The Controller of Her Majesty’s subsidiary streets which tend to have higher Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, Licence Number density development and a tighter urban 10001926]. grain.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 90 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 decorative plaster moulding and colour washed render are also present on earlier buildings. Pitched roofs in slate are characteristic, broken by substantial chimneys. Hipped roofs are visible on larger, semi detached dwellings.

Façades are often uniform and repetitive along a street, with hung sash windows and simple doorways in recessed porches contributing to a rhythm along the street. In some streets ground floor bay windows provide articulation on facades. Decorative Principal streets are generously proportioned, with worked stone window details, cills and wide verges, as in this example from Maidenhead. mouldings are a feature of some key Block pattern is regular, consisting of short buildings whilst other streets have a ‘lighter’ and long terraces, as well as semi-detached façade character due to use of colour dwellings on principal streets. Front garden washed stucco. plots are short, and in a number of instances terraces front directly onto the street. Building lines are linear and regular, with a largely consistent building frontages broken only by canted bay windows on the ground floor.

The narrow street proportions (beyond the wider principal streets), which are typically in the order of 1:2, produce a sense of enclosure along the streets of this high density suburb. Simple terraced cottages with pastel colour washed stucco (example from Eton).

Public Realm & Streetscape Interface between public and private realm is clearly defined where buildings front onto the street. Short front gardens present a ‘transition’ between public and private realm – these are typically enclosed by low brick walls, clipped hedges or black railings.

Streetscape is defined by tarmac roads and Block pattern is regular, consisting of short and long pavements with worked granite kerbstone terraces (as in this example in Eton) or semi and York stone pavers are present on detached dwellings on principal streets. pavements in some of the more intact suburbs. Period lamp standards form a Built Form & Architecture characteristic feature of a number of streets. Architectural style is mid–late Victorian and Raised pavements with brick retaining walls Edwardian terraced and semi-detached, two and cast iron railings are also present. storey brick built dwellings. Materials are The streetscape is predominantly ‘hard’ in either local warm orange-red brick or character, with street trees largely absent, London stocks with orange-red brick although grass verges are present on the banding and rubbed orange-red brick arches wider principal streets through the suburbs. to windows and doorways. Stucco,

RBWM Townscape Assessment 91 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Since these suburbs were not built to Local focal points are formed by public accommodate the car, on-street car parking houses and village stores on street corners, is typical, except where parking restrictions while churches form local landmarks. have limited this – sometimes this has forced parked cars onto the forecourts/ into front Experience gardens on properties. This is a quiet, peaceful suburban Open Space/Greenspace environment with traffic focussed on principal routes. Variations in façade Due to the density of the built environment detailing, colour and the character of and configuration of streets, there is little building elevations add richness and variety public open space within this type. Open to the experience. space is represented by churchyards (often containing yew) and by very short front B. EVALUATION gardens, with planting of a small scale, ornamental character. These areas of greenspace and soft landscape provide visual breaks in what is predominantly a ‘hard’ Condition environment. The occasional exotic tree such as pine and monkey puzzle tree create Street layouts and urban form are essentially local focal points in the suburbs. intact. However, boundaries are in particularly variable condition with many garden boundaries lost, or replaced with modern alternatives – this has had a substantial impact on streetscape character. In addition, piecemeal changes to architecture, including replacement windows and doors, re-facing of frontages (including pebble dash and mock stone), replacement of slate tiles by concrete tiles, and addition of porches, have eroded character and interrupted the rhythm of the street. Facades and streets are often more intact in Conservation Areas.

Within this type, seven character areas are identified as being in particularly good condition/intact examples of the type. These are:

6B: Buccleuch Road, Datchet

6C: Montagu Road, Datchet

6F: Tangier Lane, Eton Churchyards with species including yew (example shows St Luke’s Church, Maidenhead). 6H: Inner Windsor

Views/Landmarks 6J: Kings Road, Windsor

The density of built development keeps 6K: Springfield Road, Windsor views short, with framed views along linear streets often terminated by Victorian cottages/terraced dwellings.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 92 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 through routes and residential side streets. Buildings should reflect the domestic scale, plot width and height.

Respect and respond to the uniform façade character and the level of articulation / variation provided by bay windows. Insensitive development, including extensions, which interrupt the building line and/or the rhythm of the street should be avoided.

Reflect the use of pitched roofs and This example from Maidenhead demonstrates the slate finish, and conserve the Victorian variable condition of boundaries – some front palette of materials including warm red gardens have been converted to parking. brick, gault brick, natural stone and slate or red clay roof tiles. Insensitive roof Forces for Change alterations, including box type dormers Some of the Victorian and Edwardian Suburbs to the front elevation, should be appear to be well maintained and in a stable avoided. state while others are in a declining state. Conserve and seek opportunities to Forces for change that were noted during reinstate Victorian detailing, including the site visit, and these are as follows: steep gabled roofs, timber sash Replacement of traditional garden windows, original doors and tiled boundaries with modern alternatives porches, rubbed brick arches to (including close board fencing), often windows, stone / stucco mouldings and varying along a street, which has had a slate roofs. substantial impact on streetscape Development should conserve the character. traditional boundary treatments of low The loss of detailing through brick boundary walls and low clipped incremental/small scale changes to hedged and/or cast railings. Aim for the facades, including replacement windows maintenance of a continuous frontage to and doors, re-facing of frontages the street, and to retain garden areas (including pebble dash and mock stone), and boundaries, avoiding full width replacement of slate tiles by concrete hardstanding. tiles, and addition of porches, which is Development should demonstrate that it diluting the strong unity and rhythm preserves and enhances the setting of along streets. Listed Buildings and respect the form Conversion of front gardens to provide and function of local landmarks. (e.g. paved off street parking and associated churches, public houses, schools). loss of garden boundary walls. Manage schools grounds and church yards to maintain structural vegetation, Guidance/Opportunities particularly mature trees. It is recommended that the following Retain important trees, including those principles are taken into account in the in gardens and on tree lined roads, development design process and in public planning for new trees to ensure realm improvement projects: continuity of tree cover and a diverse Ensure that design takes account of the age structure. Species commonly use by Victorian ‘grid’ street pattern and Victorians for street trees include lime, hierarchy of streets with principal ornamental cherry and London plane.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 93 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Consider the planting of larger trees in Use a coordinated approach to street key visual locations. furniture, paving and lighting.

Character Areas

WINDSOR GROUP There are 12 local character areas in the Windsor Group (comprising of Windsor, Old Windsor, Wraysbury, Datchet, Eton and Eton Wick). These are:

6A Slough Road, Datchet 6G Meadow Lane, Eton

6B Buccleuch Road, Datchet 6H Inner Windsor

6C Montagu Road, Datchet (partly within 6I Arthur Road and Bexley Street, the Datchet Village Conservation Area) Windsor

6D Horton Road, Datchet 6J Kings Road, Windsor

6E Alma Road, Eton Wick 6K Springfield Road, Windsor

6F Tangier Lane, Eton 6L Maidenhead Road, Windsor

These suburbs tend to be located close to the historic cores of settlements, for example as seen in Windsor and Eton.

These areas are all typical of the type in terms of urban form and street layout, and broadly consistent in terms of architecture, having been built over a relatively short period. Local variations are illustrated in the photographs overleaf. Whilst built development is mostly two storey, three storey buildings are more common the principal roads through the Victorian suburbs, for example as shown in area 6J Kings Road, Windsor. Uniform brick built, slate roofed terraced houses pulled close to the street is illustrated by character areas 6D Horton Road, Datchet, 6F Tangier Lane, Eton and 6L Maidenhead Road, Windsor. Areas 6F and 6L exhibit distinctive polychrome brickwork with local orange-red brick banding between London stocks. Area 6G Meadow Lane, Eton and 6C Montagu Road, Datchet represent further variation with semi detached and detached buildings. The special architectural and historic character of area 6C is recognised through its designation as part of the Datchet Village Conservation Area. Area 6I Arthur Road and Bexley Street, Windsor contains a commercial and retail centre focussed on St Leonard’s Road. Here the townscape character is more akin to the main village street of the Victorian Village townscape type.

Character areas 6A-D within Datchet, 6E-G within Eton and Eton Wick and 6I within Windsor lie within EA Floodzone 3 (high risk of future flooding event) which could have potential future management implications. Character areas 6B and 6C form part of the Datchet Conservation Area and character areas 6F and 6G in Eton form part of the Eton Conservation Area. In addition, most of character area 6H and part of area 6J fall within the Inner Windsor Conservation Area while part of area 6I falls within the in the Trinity Place/Clarence Crescent Conservation Area.

All of the generic guidance above applies to all of the character areas. In addition to this, in area 6H Inner Windsor, ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from Windsor Arts Centre as a landmark feature in Windsor. Since areas 6A-D within Datchet, 6E-G within Eton and Eton Wick and 6I within Windsor are located in a flood zone, there may be a need for flood mitigation measures. It will be important to ensure that any flood mitigation is constructed using materials that fit with the character of the area – sustainable urban drainage systems

RBWM Townscape Assessment 94 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 may present opportunities to include new planting of native species that could enhance links to the floodplain landscape setting. Suitable native tree species for floodplain settings include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Rowan, Aspen and Elder while native trees species typical of drier areas around Windsor include Beech, Oak, Birch, Ash, Sycamore, Cherry, Rowan, Hawthorn, Field Maple and Hazel. In addition, refer to any guidance written for the Datchet Conservation Area for character areas 6B and 6C; the Eton Conservation Area for character areas 6F and 6G; the Inner Windsor Conservation Area for areas 6H, 6I and 6J; and the Trinity Place/Clarence Crescent Conservation Area for areas 6H and 6I.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 95 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

Photographs showing variations in character

Area 6C Montagu Road, Datchet Area 6D Horton Road, Datchet

Area 6F Tangier Lane, Eton Area 6G Meadow Lane, Eton

Area 6J Kings Road, Windsor Area 6L Maidenhead Road, Windsor

RBWM Townscape Assessment 96 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 8: INTER-WAR SUBURBS

Key Characteristics The type evolved by rapid and extensive settlement over a 20 year period between the First and Second World Wars. Medium density residential suburbs consisting of a distinctive network of curvilinear streets (crescents), linear streets (avenues) and ‘dead ends’ (closes). Built form is defined by suburban style semi-detached two storey houses in pebbledash or colour render, sometimes with part tile-hung frontages. Architectural detailing includes bay and bow windows, recessed arched porches and casement windows with stained glass and leaded lights. Roofs are moderately pitched and hipped or gabled, typically finished in clay tiles – chimneys add to visual interest on the skyline. Shared amenity greenspace in and around housing, including generous grass verges and small ornamental street trees. The leafy suburban character is reinforced by well vegetated domestic front gardens with ornamental shrubs, bounded by low brick walls and clipped hedges. Views are channelled down streets, framed by the regular facades of houses. Quiet and peaceful residential suburbs with a spacious character due to the relatively wide street proportions.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 97 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, Licence Number 10001926.

Townscape Character Location/distribution of type Inter War Suburbs are distributed throughout Land Use/Image the Royal Borough, often adjacent to the Land use is predominantly residential, but Victorian Suburbs or Villages. Large scale the suburbs include schools built in the same inter-war estates are seen in the settlements period, and associated open spaces such as of Windsor and Maidenhead, with smaller recreation grounds and allotments. pockets of interwar development in smaller settlements such as Datchet and Cookham Rise.

Physical Influences The underlying geology and soils do not generally influence the character of the townscape due to the ornamental nature of the planting. Topography underlying these suburbs tends to be flat or gently undulating and therefore does not noticeably influence the layout of roads or building. Inter-war suburban residential streets (Windsor). Human Influences Urban Form The interwar suburbs grew rapidly, probably Urban form is based on a strong pattern of in no more than 20 years from the end of long curved streets (crescents), linear the First World War, resulting in streets (avenues/ roads) and ‘dead ends’ considerable stylistic and visual unity. There (closes). Roads are typically unmarked, or is very little evidence of the earlier cultural may contain central white lines. pattern or land use.

Streets are of generous proportions, typically in the ratio of approximately 1:5, as in this example from Windsor.

The block pattern is created by two storey

(and occasional single storey) semi-detached Inter-war axial streets Clewer Avenue, Windsor houses, on regular plots, with short front [1919-39 Map Data supplied by Ordnance Survey gardens and larger rear gardens resulting in and Landmark Information Group]. Reproduced a medium density suburb with uniform from Ordnance Survey information with the building line and rhythm along the street. permission of The Controller of Her Majesty’s

RBWM Townscape Assessment 98 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Streets are of generous proportions, characterised by low brick walls and clipped typically in the ratio of approximately 1:5 hedges, although these have sometimes been (comparable to early post-war streets in replaced by closeboard fencing and trellis. terms of scale). Streetscape is characterised by grass verges, tarmac pavements and original worked granite kerbstones, with small street trees (including rowan and whitebeam) often evident. Telegraph poles and wires and lighting columns are also present. Streetscape cross section. Open Space/Greenspace Built Form & Architecture Recreation grounds, playing fields and Built form is that of two storey semi- allotments all contribute to open space detached suburban style housing, with low provision. In addition, grass verges, street hipped roofs and gabled frontages. trees and front gardens contribute to the Bungalows are also present. green character of the Inter-War Suburbs.

Architectural detailing includes part tile hung frontages, bay and bow windows, recessed arched porches and casement windows with stained glass and leaded lights (although these have often been replaced). Small scale later and modern accretions, such as external porches, loft conversions and side extension/garages are also evident. Materials include pebbledash and colour render exteriors, and original red clay tiles on roofs and exteriors.

Grass verges, street trees and front gardens contribute to the green character of the Inter-War Suburbs, as in this example from Datchet.

There are few relics of the earlier landscape fabric and few trees which predate the age of development itself. Street trees are drawn from a semi ornamental palette, which bears little relation to the substrate, and includes smaller species such as rowan and whitebeam. Architectural detailing results in a repetitive and rhythmic streetscape (example from Windsor). Views/Landmarks

The overall effect is repetitive and rhythmic Due to the concentration of built as a result of regularity of facades and roofs, development and the curved nature of many consistency of gaps between buildings/plots, streets, views are often short and framed by and repeating architectural features. the rhythmic facades along streets. There are no notable landmarks due to the Public Realm and Streetscape consistency of built form throughout.

The buildings present their fronts to the Experience public realm. Low garden boundaries define the interface between public and private This townscape type is one of quiet, peaceful realm. Garden boundaries are typically suburbia, essentially private and ‘closed’ in

RBWM Townscape Assessment 99 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 character due to the predominant land use Within this type, there are four character of suburban residential streets, with each areas that are judged to be in particularly house and plot historically a ‘contained’ or good condition/to be intact examples of the private unit (although now increasingly open type. These are: to the street), separated from the streetscape by walled, fenced and planted 8C: Leigh Park, Datchet garden boundaries and parking provided off 8M: Clewer New Town, Windsor street. 8O: St Andrew’s Crescent and Kentons The uniformity of built form, scale and Lane, Windsor massing creates a rhythmic and repetitive streetscape. 8P: Clewer Green, Windsor

This example from Windsor demonstrates a Changes include additions such as extensions and loft rhythmic and repetitive aesthetic. conversions, and garden boundary loss.

B. EVALUATION Forces for Change This type is generally stable in character, albeit with localised erosion created by Condition façade alterations, extensions, replacement windows and doors, as well as loss of garden The urban form, street pattern and built boundaries. form/ street proportions remain generally intact throughout these suburbs. However, Key forces for change which were evident some of the architectural and streetscape on the site visit are as follows: details have been eroded by replacement windows (often picture windows with a Redevelopment of plots to different mullion/transom pattern, or uPVC accommodate ‘backland’ development windows), concrete roof tiles, and and larger scale flatted development on alterations to pebble-dashed or tile-hung the site of suburban houses, leading to a finishes. Construction of external porches loss of rear gardens and changes to the and dormer windows has further changed roofscape as viewed from the street. the rhythm along the street. Small scale additions and alterations to Condition of front gardens and the interface building elevations e.g. porches and with the streetscape is similarly variable, minor changes to detailing such as with garden boundary walls often replaced replacement windows and doors, in a different style, shortened or removed changing the building line and rhythm of altogether to facilitate off street car parking, the streetscape. with associated gravel/ hardstanding occupying former lawned areas. Street Small scale alterations to roofscape, trees are also in variable condition. through loft conversions/dormer windows and building extensions.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 100 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Off-street parking areas at the front of to properties should use materials that properties, changing the structure and complement the original building. visual appearance of the streetscape due to loss of front gardens and boundaries. Seek to respect the built vernacular including building lines and proportions. Erosion of grass verges due to pressures Extensions which break the roofline or for parking. the building frontages should be avoided. Guidance/Opportunities Conserve the traditional use of low brick boundary walls and low clipped It is recommended that the following hedges. Aim for the maintenance of a principles are taken into account in the continuous frontage to the street, and development design process and in public to retain garden areas and boundaries, realm improvement projects: avoiding full width hardstanding.

Ensure that design takes account of the Development should conserve grass strong pattern of long, curved streets verges and other open spaces, with (crescents), linear streets (avenues / development design allowing space for roads) and dead ends (closes). front gardens.

Respect the uniform building line and Retain important trees, including those rhythm created by the consistent block in gardens and other open spaces, pattern, massing and relationship of planning for new trees to ensure buildings to open space (e.g. semi- continuity of tree cover and a diverse detached). age structure.

Reflect the use of part tile hung Use a coordinated approach to street frontages, bay and bow windows, tree planting, giving consideration to the recessed arched porches and casement planting of larger trees in key locations. windows with stained glass. Extensions Maintain the unmarked nature of roads.

Character Areas

WINDSOR GROUP There are 22 local character areas in the Windsor Group (comprising Datchet, Eton, Eton Wick, Windsor, Old Windsor and Wraysbury). These are:

8A Castle Avenue, Datchet 8J College Crescent, Windsor

8B Horton Road, Datchet 8K Clarence Road, Windsor

8C Leigh Park, Datchet 8L Clewer Avenue, Windsor

8D Lawn Close - Fairfield, Datchet 8M Clewer New Town, Windsor

8E Tilstone Avenue, Eton Wick 8N Maidenhead Road and Buckland Crescent, Windsor 8F Queens Road, Eton Wick 8O St Andrew’s Crescent and Kentons 8G Bell Lane, Eton Wick Lane, Windsor

8H Eton Wick Road 8P Clewer Green, Windsor

8I Straight Road and Church Road, Old 8Q Woodland Avenue and Sherbourne Windsor Drive, Windsor

RBWM Townscape Assessment 101 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 8R Harcourt Road, Windsor 8U Fairfield Approach, Wraysbury

8S Dedworth Village, Windsor 8V Douglas Lane, Wraysbury

8T Coppice Drive, Wraysbury

These areas display a particular consistency in terms of urban form, probably due to the short period in which they were built. However there are differences in architecture, material finishes and levels of alteration to their boundaries and facades. For example, areas 8G Bell Lane, Eton Wick, 8O St Andrew’s Crescent and Kentons Lane, Windsor, 8P Clewer Green, Windsor and 8U Fairfield Approach, Wraysbury have the same layout and streetscape attributes, but comprise bungalows rather than two storey houses.

Area 8C Leigh Park, Datchet is particularly notable for its gravel road and planted/wooded turning circle – whilst this character area has a number of features in common with the Leafy Residential Suburbs type, the period of architecture places it within the Inter-War Suburbs type.

A number of the character areas lie within EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of future flooding event), which may have implications for future management. These are as follows: areas 8A/B/C/D (Datchet), areas 8E/F/G (Eton Wick), area 8H (Eton), area 8I (Old Windsor), 8K/M/N (Windsor) and areas 8T, 8U and 8V (Wraysbury).

All of the generic guidance above applies to these areas. In addition, conserve the gravel road and planted/wooded turning circle in Area 8C Leigh Park, Datchet which contributes to the area’s leafy character. Ensure that if any development intensification occurs in areas 8G Bell Lane, Eton Wick, 8O St Andrew’s Crescent and Kentons Lane, Windsor, 8P Clewer Green, Windsor and 8U Fairfield Approach, Wraysbury; that it respects and supports the existing scale of built development (single storey bungalows), unless redevelopment is taking place on a large scale in which case there may be an opportunity to increase building heights to match adjacent areas. For areas that are in a flood zone, there may be particular opportunities to integrate sustainable urban drainage systems that include porous surfaces such as gravel or new planting of native species that could also enhance the leafy character of the streetscape.

In Area 8C, Datchet, conserve the relatively intact character exhibited by dwellings in terms of facades, architectural details and fenestration. Conserve also the leafy character of this suburb and of Area 8D, Datchet.

In Area 8I, Old Windsor, ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from the church as a landmark feature of the village. In addition, maintain the junction of St Luke’s Road / Straight Road as a node and seek opportunities to enhance the historic value of this site and links to the historic site of Kingsbury.

In Area 8N, Windsor, maintain views to the Castle from Maidenhead Road and ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from these views.

The underlying geology of Datchet (Areas 8A/B/C/D), Eton Wick (Areas 8E/F/G/H), Old Windsor (Area 8I), Windsor (8J/K/L/M/N/O/P/Q/R/S) and Wraysbury (Areas 8T/U/V) is London Clay. Suitable native tree species include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Field Maple, Hazel, Lime, Rowan, Aspen and Elder.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 102 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Photographs showing variation in character

Area 8C Leigh Park, Datchet Area 8D Lawn Close – Fairfield, Datchet

Area 8G Bell Lane, Eton Wick Area 8I Straight Road and Church Road, Old Windsor

Area 8O St Andrew’s Crescent and Kenton’s Lane, Windsor Area 8P Clewer Green, Windsor

Area 8U Fairfield Approach, Wraysbury

RBWM Townscape Assessment 103 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 RBWM Townscape Assessment 104 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 9: EARLY POSTWAR SUBURBS (TO 1960)

Key Characteristics Medium density residential suburbs consisting of a distinctive network of curvilinear streets (roads, avenues or drives), with dead end roads (closes) and cul de sacs. Two storey semi-detached dwellings and short terraces are set in regular plots with relatively short front gardens. Built form is defined by simple dwellings constructed from dark wire cut or sand faced brick and metal casement windows. Roofs are steeply-moderately pitched, hipped or gabled, and finished in concrete tiles – chimneys add to visual interest on the skyline. The use of bitumen macadam on pavements and pre cast concrete kerbstones adds to the utilitarian style. Parking is predominantly off-street, within driveways; Shared amenity greenspace in and around housing, grass verges and small ornamental street trees contribute to the streetscape. The underlying geology is reflected in occasional remnant structural vegetation e.g. belts of Scots Pine, birch, oak on sandy Bagshot Beds; oak and ash on London Clay; and limes and beech on Chalk. Front gardens, containing ornamental lawns and ornamental planting, are bounded by low brick walls and clipped hedges. Quiet and peaceful residential suburbs with a spacious character due to the relatively wide street proportions.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 105 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION unmarked, or may contain central white lines.

Location/distribution of type Early Post-War Suburbs (to 1960) are distributed throughout the Royal Borough, often adjacent to the Inter-War Suburbs. Large scale early post-war estates are seen in the settlements of Windsor and Maidenhead.

Physical Influences The underlying geology and soils do not generally influence the character of the Typical street pattern of curvilinear streets and dead- townscape due to the ornamental nature of end roads. Reproduced from Ordnance Survey the planting. However, geological and soil information with the permission of The Controller of characteristics of the landscape are Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, occasionally expressed through remnant Licence Number 10001926. structural landscape features such as belts of The block pattern is created by two storey Scots Pine on the Bagshot Beds, or mature semi-detached dwellings and short terraces oaks or limes on London Clay, or more on regular plots, resulting in a medium rarely on Chalk. Topography underlying density suburb with uniform building line and these suburbs tends to be flat or gently rhythm along the street. undulating and therefore does not influence the layout of roads or building. Streets are of generous proportions, typically in the ratio of approximately 1:5 Human Influences (comparable to inter-war streets in terms of scale). Development evolved extremely rapidly from c.1950-1960, representing the growth of settlements in the post-war period, and consequently these suburbs display considerable stylistic and visual unity. Some of the earlier developments recall aspects of inter-war suburban development. Typical street cross section.

Townscape Character Built Form & Architecture Architectural style is unified and simple, Land Use/Image using a limited palette of materials and Land use is predominantly residential, but finishes. Two storey semi-detached includes schools built in the same period, properties and short terraces are faced with and relatively large areas of amenity dark, wire cut or sand faced brick laid in greenspace. stretcher bond, set under gabled or hipped roofs tiled with dark concrete tiles. Façade Urban Form detailing is sparingly used with simple metal casement picture windows (increasingly Urban form is defined by a distinctive replaced with modern uPVC units), and network of curvilinear streets (roads, simple concrete roofed porches (open or avenues or drives), with dead end roads enclosed). Occasional feature gables mark (closes) and cul de sacs. Roads are typically the ends of terraces. These features

RBWM Townscape Assessment 106 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 provide a regularity and rhythm to the streetscape.

The streetscape contains small scale ornamental street trees such as cherries (South Ascot). Architectural style is unified and simple (South Ascot). Street lighting is atop concrete or metal lamp posts. Telegraph poles and wires are Early post-war dwellings display a number of prominent features of the streetscape which features in common with the inter-war create a cluttered skyline. period, for example gables, pebble dashed facades, rubbed brick arches to windows, tiled window cills, and slates for roofing.

Public Realm & Streetscape The buildings present their fronts to the public realm. Low garden boundaries define the interface between public and private realm. Garden boundaries are typically characterised by low brick walls and clipped hedges, although these have sometimes been replaced by pre-cast concrete modular walling units or chainlink fencing. Telegraph poles and wires create a cluttered skyline, as in this example from Sunninghill.

Driveways counter the need for extensive on-street parking. However, cars are often parked on the street. In some instances additional parking bays have been created within wide grass verges.

Open Space/ Greenspace Open, mown shared amenity greenspace and mown grass verges are characteristic of this type. In some cases houses are Low garden boundaries define the interface between arranged around areas of shared amenity public and private realm, as in this example from greenspace in the style of ‘suburban greens’ South Ascot. where they have an intimate visual and physical connection with the green. These The streetscape is characterised by wide areas of open mown grass incorporate some tarmac pavements, tarmac roads and vegetation, although this is often of a small concrete kerbs with occasional mown grass scale ornamental nature. verges, and small ornamental street trees such as cherries.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 107 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 of some front gardens to hardstanding for parking has affected the streetscape. In addition, street trees and shared amenity greenspaces are generally in a declining condition.

There are three character areas within this type which are judged to be in particularly good condition/intact examples of the type, and these are:

9A: Fairfield and Montrose, Datchet Houses arranged around areas of shared amenity greenspace, as in this example from Windsor. 9B: Boveney New Road, Eton Wick

Short front gardens contain open mown 9C: Princes Close, Eton Wick grass and vegetation, although this is often also of a small scale ornamental nature.

Views/Landmarks Forces for Change The pattern of long, curvilinear streets and The type has undergone some changes. cul de sacs terminated by terraced houses Key forces for change which were evident keeps views short. There are no notable during the site visit are as follows: landmarks due to the consistency of built form throughout. Small scale additions to building elevations, e.g. porches and minor Experience changes to detailing such as replacement windows and doors. These are quiet and peaceful residential suburbs with few signs of activity during the Replacement of low brick wall and day. The aesthetic is simple, restrained and clipped hedge garden boundaries with often repetitive, although variation is created chainlink fencing, modular concrete by juxtaposition of semi detached and walling or taller decorated or parapet terraced properties, which break the rhythm walls. of the streetscape. Due to the simplicity of the architectural form and detailing, and Loss of garden boundaries and predominantly dark palette of materials, the vegetation for off-street parking (paved). streetscape has an austere and utilitarian character. Decline in condition of shared open spaces, verges and street trees. B. EVALUATION Streets dominated by cars and parking on verges due to an increase in average household car ownership. Condition Guidance/Opportunities The land use and urban form of these suburbs remains largely intact. However, It is recommended that the following small scale alterations to buildings and principles are taken into account in the streetscape have eroded character in places. development design process and in public For example replacement windows and realm improvement projects: doors, and the addition of projecting porches has altered the regularity and Take account of the distinctive network rhythm of the building facades, while of curvilinear streets (roads, avenues or removal of front garden boundaries and loss

RBWM Townscape Assessment 108 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 drives) with dead ends (closes) and cul Use a coordinated approach to street de sacs. tree planting in terms of species palette, and in terms of stature (grade of plant Design development proposals to material). Consider the planting of respect the pattern of frontages (facades larger trees in key locations. and boundaries) and the regularity and rhythm of the roofscape. Buildings Development and management decisions should reflect the use of steeply pitched, should seek to reduce the impact of hipped or gabled roofs and chimneys. parking provision and access through sensitive design and landscape screening. Conserve the traditional use of low In areas with wide grass verges, the use brick boundary walls and low clipped of planted pavement build-outs (as in the hedges, in preference to forms of sketch below) can help reduce the visual enclosure such as chain link fences, impact of on-street parking. modular concrete walls or tall walls. The aim should be to maintain the impression of a garden area and boundaries, avoiding full width hardstanding.

Conserve grass verges and other open spaces, with development design allowing space for front gardens. Retain important trees, including those in gardens and other open spaces, planning for new trees to ensure continuity of tree cover and a diverse age structure.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 109 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 Character Areas

WINDSOR GROUP There are 16 local character areas in the Windsor Group (comprising Datchet, Eton, Eton Wick, Windsor, Old Windsor and Wraysbury). These are:

9A Fairfield and Montrose, Datchet

9B Boveney New Road, Eton Wick

9C Princes Close, Eton Wick

9D Haywards Mead, Eton Wick

9E Sommerville Road, Eton Wick

9F Church Road, Old Windsor

9G Central Old Windsor

9H Kingsbury Drive, Old Windsor

9I Wood Close, Windsor

9J Bulkeley Avenue and Springfield Road, Windsor

9K Maidenhead Road, Windsor

9L Vale Road, Windsor

9M Dedworth Drive, Windsor

9N Perrycroft, Windsor

9O Keepers Farm Close, Windsor

9P Gratton Road, Windsor

This type tends to be located on the fringes of the settlements, beyond the Victorian/Edwardian and Inter-War suburbs. Almost half of the areas fall within EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of potential future flooding event), which may have implications for future management. These are 9A within Datchet, 9E within Eton Wick, 9G and 9H within Old Windsor, 9L and part of 9J within Windsor, and 9Q within Wraysbury.

There is particular consistency between the attributes of these early post war suburbs, with differences limited to material finishes and minor details. Some examples of areas are shown in the photographs overleaf. Most are semi detached dwellings in dark red wire cut brick for facades with dark roof tiles, although area 9M Dedworth Drive, Windsor has rendered elevations and half hipped gable detail to facades. Area 9A Fairfield and Montrose, Datchet demonstrates further variation with bungalows interspersed with two storey dwellings. Many of the areas in these photographs have a combination of privet hedge and ornamental garden boundary walls, with area 9C Princes Close, Eton Wick showing some variation with predominantly hard garden boundaries and an absence of grass verges to the street. A number of these areas have generous swathes of intensively managed greenspace as an

RBWM Townscape Assessment 110 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 integral part of the development (e.g. areas 9J Bulkeley Avenue and Springfield Road, Windsor, 9M Dedworth Drive Windsor and 9O Keepers Farm Close, Windsor). Area 9J Bulkeley Avenue and Springfield Road, Windsor is particularly notable for the mature oaks which have been retained within the urban fabric.

All of the guidance above applies to these areas. In area 9M Dedworth Drive, Windsor it will be particularly important to maintain the rendered elevations and half hipped gable details which characterise this area, and to ensure any new development respects this. In area 9J Bulkeley Avenue and Springfield Road, Windsor, it will be particularly important to conserve the mature oaks and plan for new tree planting to ensure continuity of tree cover. In area 9G Central Old Windsor, maintain the triangular site at the junction of St Luke’s Road / Straight Road as a node within the village and seek opportunities to enhance the historic value of this site and links to the historic site of Kingsbury.

The underlying geology of Datchet (Area 9A), Eton Wick (Areas 9B/C/D/E), Old Windsor (Area 9F/G/H) and Windsor (Areas 9I/J/K/L/M/N/O/P) is London Clay. Suitable native tree species include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Field Maple, Hazel, Lime, Rowan, Aspen and Elder.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 111 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 Photographs showing typical character areas

Area 9A Fairfield and Montrose, Datchet Area 9C Princes Close, Eton Wick

Area 9G Central Old Windsor Area 9J Bulkeley Avenue and Springfield Road, Windsor

Area 9J Bulkeley Avenue and Springfield Road, Windsor Area 9M Dedworth Drive, Windsor

Area 9O Keepers Farm Close, Windsor Area 9P Gratton Drive, Windsor

RBWM Townscape Assessment 112 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 10: LATE 20TH CENTURY SUBURBS (1960 ONWARDS)

Key Characteristics Medium density residential suburbs consisting of long curvilinear feeder streets with short subsidiary roads culminating in cul de sacs/dead ends. Housing estates planned to accommodate families with schools, parks and outdoor sports facilities e.g. tennis courts, sports pitches, playing fields. Built form defined by suburban style semi-detached and detached two storey houses, set in regular plots with short front, and long back, gardens. Consistency in plot form, density and building scale results in a harmonised streetscape character. Car-orientated developments with generous street widths, and private off-street parking on driveways (sometimes with garages) or communal parking bays. Mostly ornamental tree species within public open spaces and private gardens. Unfenced front gardens, wide grass verges and shared amenity greenspaces blur the boundary between the public/private realms. Quiet suburban character due to dead-end street layout.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 113 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION

Urban Form Urban form is based on a street pattern of Location/distribution of type long curvilinear feeder streets and short Late Post War Residential Suburbs are often subsidiary roads terminating in cul de located on the edge of settlements, sacs/dead ends. reflecting growth in the late 20th Century. However, pockets are located in older areas as modern residential infill.

Physical Influences The underlying geology and soils are rarely expressed in townscape character. However, in some instances, remnants of woodland, shelterbelts and hedgerows provide references to the underlying geology e.g. oaks on clay, pines on sand. Topography underlying these suburbs tends to be flat or gently undulating and therefore Central curving feeder streets with subsidiary roads does not greatly influence the layout of culminating in dead-ends/cul-de-sacs. Reproduced streets and plots. from Ordnance Survey information with the permission of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, Licence Number Human Influences 10001926.

This type displays a variety of architectural Built development is characterised by two styles, reflecting advances in building storey semi-detached or detached suburban technologies and availability/ popularity of style houses with short front gardens and materials during the decades following 1960. larger rear gardens. The building line is Each ‘estate’ grew in a relatively short often staggered, due to the curved nature of period of time, resulting in a consistency of streets. However the consistency in plot built form and character within each estate. form, density and building scale results in a harmonised streetscape character. Townscape Character

Land Use/Image Primary land use is residential, but includes schools built in the same period, as well as areas of shared amenity greenspace often with children’s play grounds, parks, woodland remnants and outdoor sports facilities (including tennis courts and playing fields).

The building line is often staggered, due to the curved nature of streets, as here at North Ascot.

Streets are generously proportioned, often with wide grassed verges and footpaths. Front gardens are usually unfenced, contributing to the open character of the street.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 114 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 Public Realm & Streetscape The streetscape is characterised by wide tarmac streets with concrete kerbs, tarmac pavements and sometimes wide, mown grass verges. Tarmac or block paved driveways (often with herringbone paving patterns) leading to lock-up garages or covered landings are features in newer estates. Parking is on driveways and in garages, or in communal parking bays. There is little on- street parking.

Typical late post-war suburban street, North Ascot. Boundaries between properties are often marked by ornamental planting and/or Built Form & Architecture discrete concrete edging between tarmac Residential development is entirely in the driveways. There are often no boundaries post-war ‘suburban’ idiom. Built form is to the front of properties, resulting in an predominantly two storey semi-detached unclear distinction between public/private and detached (some double-fronted) realms. Buildings present their fronts to the suburban style housing, with a mixture of street. hipped and gabled roof types. Chalet bungalows are also typical of post-war Street trees are uncommon; however suburban development. shared amenity greenspace and unfenced front gardens with small ornamental Architectural style and materials are highly trees/shrubs make a valuable contribution to varied, depending on the age of the streetscape. Street lighting columns are development. Materials and finishes include unobtrusive elements. light and dark sand-faced brick, with simple timber, metal or uPVC windows. The Open Space/Greenspace second storeys of dwellings are sometimes Open space is generally planned into each defined by coloured render, white timber estate and consists of shared amenity weatherboard or dark timber / tile hung greenspace (for informal recreation), small façades. Roof pitches and frontages vary urban parks (including play areas, skate considerably between ‘estates’, reflecting the parks) and outdoor sports facilities (often period they were built. Driveway shelters associated with schools e.g. tennis courts, with flat roofs are common features. sports pitches, playing fields). The planting Protruding enclosed porches (glass and in communal open spaces is a mixture of timber) are also common. ornamental and native species, but tends to be small in scale.

There are occasional pockets of remnant woodland, shelter belts or hedgerows, which relate to former landscape structure and provide links to the underlying geology and soils e.g. Blythewood in North Ascot.

Varied roofscape and a staggered building line (Sunninghill).

RBWM Townscape Assessment 115 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 Forces for Change This townscape type seems to be relatively stable; however key forces for change which were evident during the site visit are as follows:

Partial loss of front gardens for hard- paved parking areas.

Extensions that breach the building line or roofscape, such as additional garages Shared amenity greenspace is planned into each estate, as in this example from South Ascot. and attic extensions with dormer windows. Views/Landmarks Guidance/Opportunities The nature of the street pattern (curved feeder roads and short cul de sacs), keeps It is recommended that the following views short. Due to the consistency in principles are taken into account in the character of built form across the estates, development design process and in public landmarks are not a feature of the Late Post realm improvement projects: War Residential Suburbs. Within development design, take Experience account of the street pattern of wide curving feeder roads with grass verges. These are peaceful residential suburbs, with activity during the day concentrated in the Retain the open character of front schools, other institutions, parks and gardens, which is an important part of outdoor sports facilities. Feeder roads have townscape character, avoiding enclosing a relatively constant flow of local traffic, with walls, fences, gates and railings. less traffic in dead-end roads. Although each estate is uniform, variety is provided Sensitive contemporary design which between the estates by the mixture of responds to its immediate context will architectural styles. be appropriate, where it makes reference to existing building heights, B. EVALUATION massing and proportion, or stylistic references. Reference to existing materials may also be appropriate. Condition Reflect the existing hipped or gabled roofscape character, using architectural The urban form and much of the styles and materials palette which architecture remains intact. However, loss complement the existing. of some front gardens to hardstanding for parking and to accommodate larger garages Respect the existing building line, has had an effect on condition and character including the retention of grass verges in places. In addition, street trees and and front gardens. Ancillary buildings shared amenity greenspaces are generally in (e.g. garages) and off street parking a declining condition. should be tucked into the plot to maintain the green frontage. Within this type, there is one character area (10G: Sheepcote Road, Eton Wick) that is in The retention of important trees, particularly good condition/an intact including those in gardens and on tree example of the type. lined roads, planning for new trees to ensure continuity of tree cover and a diverse age structure.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 116 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 Use a coordinated approach to street material). Consider the planting of tree planting in terms of species palette, larger trees in key locations. and in terms of stature (grade of plant

RBWM Townscape Assessment 117 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 Character Areas

WINDSOR GROUP There are 41 local character areas in the Windsor Group (comprising Datchet, Eton, Eton Wick, Windsor, Old Windsor and Wraysbury). These are:

10A Ruscombe Gardens – Gables Close, 10X Clewer New Town, Windsor Datchet 10Y The Rectory, Windsor 10B Beaulieu Close, Datchet 10Z Clewer Park, Windsor 10C Queens Road/Queens Meadow, Datchet 10AA Hatch Lane, Windsor

10D Green Lane, Datchet 10AB Tyrell Gardens, Windsor

10E Priory Way, Datchet 10AC Ellison Close

10F Cornwall Close, Eton Wick 10AD Illingworth, Windsor

10G Sheepcote Road, Eton Wick 10AE Park Corner and Forster Avenue, Windsor 10H Bunces Close, Eton Wick 10AF Priors Road and Poolmans Road, 10I Stonebridge Field, Eton Wick Windsor

10J Eton Square, Eton 10AG White Horse Road and Hemwood Road, Windsor 10K William Ellis Close, Old Windsor 10AH Tinkers Lane, Windsor 10L St Andrews Close, Old Windsor 10AI Gally’s Road and Ruddlesway, 10M Newton Court, Old Windsor Windsor

10N Ashbrook Road and Walpole Road, 10AJ Long Mead and Aston Mead, Old Windsor Windsor

10O Saxon Way and Meadow Close, Old 10AK Broom Farm Estate Windsor 10AL Old School Court, Wraysbury 10P Old Windsor Riverside 10AM House Close, Wraysbury 10Q Chaucer Close and Edinburgh Gardens, Windsor 10AN Bowry Drive, Wraysbury

10R Fountain Gardens, Windsor 10AO Harcourt and Poulcott, Wraysbury

10S Wood Close, Windsor 10AP Grange Close, Wraysbury

10T Nightingale walk, Windsor

10U Princess Avenue, Windsor

10V Goslar Way, Windsor

10W Imperial Road, Windsor

RBWM Townscape Assessment 118 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 Local character areas within the Windsor Group are located on the fringes of the settlements, characterising much of the western part of Windsor. They also include small scale infill development within other areas. Two storey development is typical within these areas, with semi detached houses (narrow gaps between plots) arranged along curvilinear streets and in cul de sacs. Front gardens are short and often open in character with lawns and small scale ornamental tree and shrub planting. All of the type 10 character areas within Datchet and Old Windsor/Wraysbury fall within EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of flooding event) which may have implications for future management. Within Windsor, area 10Z Clewer Park also falls within this flood zone.

The photographs overleaf show variations in local character and architecture. Architecture varies according to the age of development and includes simple brick built 1960s and semi detached houses with large picture windows, as in area 10A Ruscombe Gardens – Gables Close, Datchet. 1970s developments are often defined by timber clad or tile hung frontages, in addition to shallow pitched roofs e.g areas 10AI Galley’s Road and Ruddlesway, Windsor and area 10AN Bowry Drive, Wraysbury. Also visible are modern dwellings in yellow brick with red brick quoin detailing (area 10AD Illingworth, Windsor). This area also shows the open, predominantly lawned character of front gardens.

Area 10C Queens Road/Queens Meadow falls within Datchet’s Conservation Area, Area 10J Eton Square forms part of Eton’s Conservation Area and Area 10Q Chaucer Close and Edinburgh Gardens forms part of the Inner Windsor Conservation Area.

All of the generic guidance above applies to all of these areas.

In Datchet, maintain the historic gateway at the junction of Slough Road / Priory Way (part of Area 10E) and along Horton Road (part of Area 10D) as key ‘arrival’ points into the village. In addition, conserve and enhance the recreational ground in Area 10D as a node and focal point within Datchet. In addition, refer to any guidance written for the Datchet Conservation Area for area 10C Queens Road/Queens Meadow Area.

In Eton, refer to any guidance written for the Eton Conservation Area for area 10J Eton Square.

In Eton Wick, ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) in Area 10I do not detract from Eton College Sanatorium as a landmark.

In Old Windsor (Area 10K), ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from south westerly views to the Copper Horse, from the Albert Road junction.

In Windsor, ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from views to the castle along Kings Road. In addition, conserve and enhance the suburban park at the junction of Foster Avenue and Wolf Lane (Area 10AE) as a node and focal point within the townscape. Also refer to any guidance written for the Inner Windsor Conservation Area for Area 10Q Chaucer Close and Edinburgh Gardens.

In Wraysbury, maintain the historic gateway at the junction of Wraysbury High Street/Windsor Road (part of Area 10AL) and at the junction of St Andrew’s Close/Ouseley Road (part of Area 10AO) as key ‘arrival’ points into the village.

The underlying geology of Datchet (Areas 10A-10E), Eton Wick (Areas 10F-10I), Old Windsor (Areas 10K-10P), Windsor (Areas 10Q-10AK) and Wraysbury (Areas 10AL-10AP) is London Clay. Suitable native tree species include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore,

RBWM Townscape Assessment 119 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Field Maple, Hazel, Lime, Rowan, Aspen and Elder. Sycamore is also characteristic of the Windsor area. Eton (Area 10J) lies on the transition between Reading Beds and Chalk. Suitable native tree species include for Area 10J include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Rowan, Aspen, Elder, Holly and Hazel.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 120 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2

Photographs showing variations in character

Area 10A Ruscombe Gardens – Gables Close, Datchet Area 10F Cornwall Close, Eton Wick

Area 10G Sheepcote Road, Eton Wick Area 10N Ashbrook Road and Walpole Road, Old Windsor

Area 10Y The Rectory, Windsor Area 10AD Illingworth, Windsor

Area 10Q Chaucer Close and Edinburgh Gardens, Windsor Area 10AN Bowry Drive, Wraysbury RBWM Townscape Assessment 121 Draft Final Report 2009: Volume 2 11: POST WAR RESIDENTIAL FLATS

Key Characteristics Residential flats (usually three to five storeys) set within spacious grounds, typically dating from 1960s or later. Urban form is defined by large plots with an internal street pattern of curvilinear streets terminating in dead ends and car parks. Early post war flats are generally public housing developments with a simple block form, minimal architectural detailing and a simple palette of materials including brick, render, concrete and glass with uPVC or metal windows and doors. Later flatted developments display a greater variety in architectural form and detail, including decorative brickwork, balconies, mansard roofs, and neo-classical features. Entrances (divided into visitors, services, private entrance for residents only) are indicated by features such roof overhangs, large scale projected or recessed doorways/porches or entrance stair cases. Parking is generally provided in communal parking bays and garages. Open space is ‘designed’ into each development and provides a setting for the flats. Views are often short and terminated by the large buildings. However, some long distance views are available from the upper storeys of flats. Perimeter fencing and entrance gates contribute to a ‘contained’ or private character.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 123 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION typically uniform in height with a simple form.

Built Form & Architecture Location/distribution of type Built form is united by the multi-storey The type is generally associated with infill nature of buildings (usually three to five development or redevelopment, scattered storeys). throughout the Borough in small, isolated However, architectural style and materials pockets. are highly varied, depending on the age of development. Flats built between 1940 and Physical Influences 1980 possess a simple built form, including The townscape character of Post War rectangular blocks with flat or gently pitched Residential Flats bears little relationship to roofs and metal framed or timber windows. underlying physical influences. However, in Materials and finishes include light and dark some instances, the species mix in remnants sand-faced brick, concrete, render, and of woodland, shelter belts and hedgerows simple timber or metal fenestration. provide a reference to underlying geology and soils e.g. oaks on clay, pines on sand.

Human Influences Development within this type dates from the 1960s up to the present day. There is therefore a great variety in architectural style and materials.

Townscape Character

Land Use/Image Simple 1960s and 1970s built form. Land use is predominantly residential. Early More modern developments (1980s onwards) post war flats were developed by the typically have greater architectural detail; Council to provide community housing. especially where they form focal points, for Later 20th Century and early 21st Century example on roundabouts. Details are often flats have mostly been built by private ‘borrowed’ from historic periods and developers (sometimes in partnership with include decorative brickwork, balconies, Council) to provide high density residential mansard roofs, and neo-classical features or mixed use development. Some of the such as portico entrances. later mixed use developments include commercial/ retail/ office space at ground level.

Urban Form Urban form is defined by large plots incorporating access roads terminating in dead ends and car parks.

The scale of built development is large - buildings are typically three to five storeys, set within open space and incorporating car This example from North Ascot shows how more modern developments have greater architectural parking bays. Adjacent blocks of flats are detailing.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 124 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

Public Realm & Streetscape The streetscape is characterised by wide tarmac streets with concrete kerbs, tarmac pavements and sometimes wide mown grass verges. Parking is generally provided in communal parking bays and garages. Visitors’ parking is clearly defined. Parked cars often dominate the public realm. Communal open space forms a setting for the flats, such as this example in Green lane, Windsor.

Small scale ornamental planting within amenity greenspaces does not relate to the character of the underlying physical landscape. There are occasional pockets of remnant woodland, shelter belts or hedgerows, which relate to former land uses and the provide links to underlying physical landscape characteristics.

Parked cars dominate the public realm, such as at Views/Landmarks these flats in Hanover Way, Windsor. Views within the flat complexes are often Outer development boundaries are often short and terminated by the large buildings. marked by high brick walls, while internal However, medium and long distance views boundaries have lower walls. Building are available from the upper storeys of flats. frontages are varied - many flats have Some developments form ‘gateway’ uniform elevations, with no clear backs or statements and are focal points in their own fronts. The distinction between right. public/private realms is often unclear as a result of the presence of communal open Experience space around the flats. Post War Residential Flats have a private and Street trees are uncommon; however small quiet character. Flats with commercial / ornamental trees/shrubs on communal retail / office development at street level greenspace around the flats make a small but have a sense of vitality at street level during valuable contribution to the streetscape. the day. Some inward facing blocks, such as Street lights vary in style according to the those at Ward Royal in Windsor, have their age of development. backs to the street, presenting a severe façade to the public realm. Open Space/Greenspace Communal open space is generally ‘designed’ B. EVALUATION into each development and consists of amenity greenspace which provide a setting for the flats. Condition The urban form, land use and much of the architecture of these areas remains intact. However, some of the boundaries, verges and vegetation in communal spaces are in a declining condition.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 125 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Within this townscape type, one character encouraging soft boundary treatments area is judged to be in particularly good including hedging. condition/to be an intact example of the type (11E: Eton). Provide access to open space, with careful consideration given to the ratio Forces for Change between built form and open space. Forces for change which were evident Retain important trees, planning for new during the site visit are as follows: tree planting to ensure continuity of tree cover and a diverse age structure. Gradual decline in condition of boundaries, verges and communal open Use a coordinated approach to street space, particularly in older tree planting in terms of species and developments. stature. Consider the planting of larger trees at key visual locations and where Gradual decline in condition of facades, they would help soften the appearance particularly of older buildings. of larger buildings.

Past conversion of community Sensitive contemporary design which greenspace into car parking bays, responds to its immediate context will resulting in a loss of greenspace which be appropriate, where it makes once provided a setting to the reference to existing building heights, development. massing and proportion, or stylistic references. Reference to existing Guidance/Opportunities materials may also be appropriate. It is recommended that the following Development and management decisions principles are taken into account in the should seek to reduce the impact of development design process and in public parking provision and access through realm improvement projects: sensitive design and landscape screening. Parking areas should be provided behind Seek to create opportunities for and to the side of buildings to help landscape and boundary enhancement, reduce dominance from public areas.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 126 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Character Areas

WINDSOR GROUP There are 17 local character areas in the Windsor Group (comprising Datchet, Eton, Eton Wick, Windsor, Old Windsor and Wraysbury). These are:

11A Holmlea Walk, Datchet 11J Lammas Court, Windsor

11B New Road, Datchet 11K Clarence Road / Goslar Way, Windsor 11C Lawn Close, Datchet 11L Albert Street, Windsor 11D Eton Wick 11M Clewer Village, Windsor 11E Eton 11N Longbourn Estate, Windsor 11F Lynwood Drive, Old Windsor 11O Hanover Way, Windsor 11G Ward Royal, Central Windsor 11P Winwood Estate, Windsor 11H Fountain Gardens, Windsor 11Q Manor Farm Close, Windsor 11I Osborne Court, Windsor

Character areas within this type have either evolved as part of planned suburbs, or as isolated redevelopment plots within older areas. These areas are all typical of the generic post war flat type, but vary locally in terms of age of development and architectural style. Areas which evolved as part of post war suburbs generally mimic the surrounding streetscape character (including a street pattern of wide tarmac curvilinear streets with concrete kerbs and related building set backs), and have similar building materials. Such areas include 11O Hanover Way, Windsor.

Areas within Eton, Eton Wick, Datchet, Old Windsor and on the northern edge of Windsor (i.e. areas 11G, 11L, 11M and 11P) lie within EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of a flood event) which may have implications for future management.

Areas such as 11D Eton Wick, 11E Eton and 11O Hanover Way, Windsor are typical of 1970s architecture while area 11I Osborne Court, Windsor and area 11J Lammas Court, Windsor are typical of newer developments. Area 11J also forms part of Inner Windsor Conservation Area. Area 11F Lynwood Drive, Old Windsor has a distinctive multi level form while Area 11G Ward Royal, Windsor is a particularly distinctive 1970s development of pre-cast concrete flats notable for its inward facing nature and poor relationship to its surroundings. Area 11E also forms part of Eton’s Conservation Area.

An anomaly is the higher rise flats within 11P Winwood Estate, Windsor. This area once formed part of the parkland setting and entrance drive to Dedworth Manor. Another anomaly is Area 11N Longbourn Estate, Windsor, which forms part of the former Clewer Estate. Mature trees (including oak, lime, cedar, cypress and ash) contribute to this area’s historic and leafy character. Photos showing variation in this type are presented overleaf.

All of the generic guidance applies to all of these areas. In addition, in Area 11D Eton Wick, conserve and enhance the area in front of the village hall and shops, at the junction of Eton Wick Road and Bell Lane as a node and focal point within the village; conserve the mature trees in Area 11N Longbourn Estate, Windsor, which once formed part of the former Clewer Estate and plan for their future replacement. In addition, refer to the Inner Windsor

RBWM Townscape Assessment 127 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Conservation Area Statement for further guidance regarding Area 11J and refer to the Eton Conservation Area Statement for further guidance regarding Area 11E.

The underlying geology of Datchet (Area 11A-11C), Eton Wick (Areas 11D), Old Windsor (Area 11G) and Windsor (Areas 11G-11Q) is London Clay. Suitable native tree species include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Field Maple, Hazel, Lime, Rowan, Aspen and Elder. Eton (Area 11D) lies on the transition between Reading Beds and Chalk. Suitable native tree species include for Area 11Dinclude Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Rowan, Aspen, Elder, Holly and Hazel.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 128 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Photos showing variations in character

11D Eton Wick 11E Eton

Area 11F Lynwood Drive, Old Windsor (these buildings are Area 11I Osborne Court, Windsor currently vacant)

Area 11O Hanover Way, Windsor Area 11G Ward Royal, Central Windsor

Area 11J Lammas Court, Windsor Area 11P Winwood Estate, Windsor

RBWM Townscape Assessment 129 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 12: EXECUTIVE RESIDENTIAL ESTATES

Key Characteristics Low density residential suburbs of ‘executive’ style housing mostly post 1980s. Urban form is defined by long curvilinear feeder streets with short subsidiary roads culminating in cul de sacs/dead ends. Built form is defined by suburban style detached two storey houses, on large organic plots with sweeping, sinuous drives. Front gardens are open and unbounded with lawns and large ornamental shrubs clearly visible from the street. There is little on street parking. Building lines are irregular, with dwellings often orientated at an angle to the street frontage. A variety of architectural styles including neo-Tudor with mock timber and tile hanging, and larger neo-classical buildings dating from the late 1990s. Streetscape often includes details such as granite sett kerbs, granite speed tables and rumble strips. Brick and slate ‘gateway’ signs marking entrances to residential estates are common, as are private roads. A quiet and tranquil environment, often intensely private in character - this is reinforced by the relatively high proportion of gated communities.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 131 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION Majesty’s Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, Licence Number 10001926].

Townscape Character Location/distribution of type Executive Residential Estates are located in Land Use/Image North Ascot, Sunninghill, Sunningdale and Land use is entirely residential, defined by Broomhall and on the outskirts of Windsor large scale prestigious dwellings set in large, and Maidenhead. open plots.

Physical Influences Urban Form The underlying geology and soils are rarely Urban form comprises a street pattern of expressed in townscape character. long curvilinear feeder streets with short However, in some instances, remnants of subsidiary roads culminating in cul de woodland, shelterbelts and hedgerows sacs/dead ends. These streets are often of within the townscape, or backdrop wide proportions, with generous grass vegetation outside the type, provide verges. references to the underlying geology e.g. oaks on clay, pines on sand. Topography Plots are open in character with open underlying these suburbs tends to be flat or lawned front gardens and no boundary gently undulating and therefore does not between the public and private realms – this greatly influence the layout of streets and sets these suburbs apart from the Leafy plots, although in places the gently Residential Suburbs. undulating topography is reflected in staggered rooflines.

Human Influences This townscape type evolved in a relatively short period (mostly from the 1980s) with ‘executive’ style dwellings in a variety of styles.

Plots are open in character with open, lawned front gardens, as here in Maidenhead.

Block pattern is characterised by large, detached dwellings in large, irregularly shaped plots. Facades are often orientated at angles to the street, resulting in varied orientation and building lines.

Built Form & Architecture

Built form varies widely, with the townscape type essentially unified by the low density of Low density layout; organic street/ plot form development and by open plot (example from Ascot). characteristics. [Re-produced from Ordnance Survey information with the permission of The Controller of Her

RBWM Townscape Assessment 132 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Large, detached dwellings are often double Street proportions are wide, with generous fronted with separate double garages. grass verges. Street trees are generally Architectural styles range from simple 1970s absent. Pavements and roads are typically development in pale brick to 1980s and tarmac, often with granite sett kerbstones 1990s neo-Tudor style homes with half and rumble strip details as part of traffic timbering and tile hanging. Some plainer calming schemes. Elaborate ‘gateway’ 1980s and 1990s houses have bay windows signage to streets marks the approach to the and dark stained timber gables contrasting residential estates, with carved slate set in with pale brick facades. More recent 1990s brick surrounds characteristic. Gated neo-classical and neo-Georgian development developments with substantial wrought iron (in brick and stucco) is also characteristic. gates are also typical of this townscape type. Imitation slate or red tile are used for roofing materials. The roofscape varies Open Space/Greenspace from suburb to suburb. Mown verges and small communal areas of amenity planting at ‘gateways’ to (sometimes gated) communities have an ornamental, manicured character. These comprise mown grass, shrubs and ornamental tree species such as rowan and cherry. This ornamental, manicured character sets the Executive Residential Estates apart from the Leafy Residential Suburbs.

It is, however, the private gardens which contribute most to the greenspace within this type. Front gardens with open lawns, Large prestigious style dwellings (example from clipped hedges, ornamental shrubs and trees North Ascot). contribute to a highly manicured character. Larger native trees in rear gardens are Public Realm & Streetscape important components where they occur. Interface between public and private realm is subtly defined, with ‘open plan’ lawned front gardens often merging with the streetscape (pavements and verges). Sweeping driveways, often paved with modern interpretations of ‘heritage’ paving (e.g. ‘Tegula’ concrete setts and cobbles), are also a notable feature of the streetscape gardens. Street parking is therefore infrequent.

Private gardens contribute to an ornamental, manicured character, as in this example from North Ascot.

Views/Landmarks Views are kept short by the curved Granite sett rumble strips provide detail (North character of streets and the staggered Ascot). arrangement of buildings. The backdrop of mature trees, where they occur, form a

RBWM Townscape Assessment 133 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 backdrop to views. Due to the consistency General tendency towards larger in land use and urban morphology, buildings in newer developments. landmarks are not a feature of the Executive Residential Estates. Guidance/Opportunities

Experience It is recommended that the following principles are taken into account in the This is a peaceful townscape type with a development design process and in public sense of intense privacy, which is reinforced realm improvement projects: by the presence of gated communities and private roads. Activity during the day is Take account of the intact existing restricted to local traffic along feeder street and block pattern. streets. Reflect existing building heights and The staggered and irregular building lines, massing. Buildings should typically be in together with the organic and often irregular the order of 2 or 2.5 storeys. arrangement of building plots contributes to an organic townscape. Retain the open character of front gardens, in preference to enclosing B. EVALUATION walls, fences, gates and railings. Conserve and use trees and other vegetation as part of a leafy streetscape. Condition The design should allow space for planting to mature. The urban form of the Executive Residential Estates remains intact and the affluent Use a coordinated approach to street character of these residential estates is tree planting in terms of species - reflected in the condition and manicured ornamental and exotic species are character of gardens and verges. characteristic, and appropriate, as is the consideration of larger trees at key Due to the comparatively recent locations. construction of much of the development within this townscape type, there has been Retain important trees, planning for new relatively little replacement and infill. As tree planting to ensure continuity of such built form is also largely intact. tree cover and a diverse age structure. Sensitive contemporary design Forces for Change responding to its immediate context will This type appears to be stable in terms of be appropriate, where it makes change and comparatively few forces for reference to existing building heights, change were evident during the site visit. massing and proportion, or stylistic They are as follows: references. Reference to existing materials may be appropriate. Increasing emphasis on ‘hardscape’ and heritage style paving in areas of newer Maintain the unmarked nature of roads. development.

Loft conversions and extensions, including dormer windows.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 134 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Character Areas

WINDSOR GROUP There are 4 local character areas in the Windsor group, all located in Windsor itself. They are as follows:

12A Queens Acre, Windsor

12B Chestnut Drive, Windsor

12C Fairlawn Park, Windsor

12D Wilton Crescent, Windsor

These areas are all typical of the generic ‘executive estate’ type in terms of urban form (particularly united by their open character with lawned front gardens) and ‘executive’ style architecture. However they vary in terms of specific details and materials. Some examples of the variation in style and materials between estates are shown overleaf. Area 12A Queen’s Acre, Windsor displays the use of red brick and steeply pitched slate roofs, whilst area 12C Fairlawn Park, Windsor shows an eclectic range of architectural styles, which include neoclassical architecture, in addition to the use of applied timber and tile hanging. Simpler 1970s architecture is typical of area 12D Wilton Crescent, Windsor. Area 12B Chestnut Drive, Windsor has a more ‘rural’ character. Area 12B, 12C and 12D contains several mature trees (most notably beech, oak, ash) which contribute to the areas’ leafy character. In addition, Windsor Forest provides a distinctive wooded backdrop to Area 12B, 12C and 12D.

All of the generic guidance relates to these areas. One of the generic opportunities for the type is to seek opportunities to plant more native trees. The underlying geology of Windsor (Areas 12A-12D) is London Clay - suitable native tree species include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Field Maple, Hazel, Lime, Rowan, Aspen and Elder.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 135 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Photographs of character areas

Area 12A Queens Acre, Windsor Area 12B Chestnut Drive, Windsor

Area 12C Fairlawn Park, Windsor Area 12D Wilton Crescent, Windsor

RBWM Townscape Assessment 136 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 13: LEAFY RESIDENTIAL SUBURBS

Key Characteristics Low to medium density residential suburbs with characteristic ‘leafy’ streets. Urban form is defined by wide streets (curvilinear and straight) with secondary streets culminating in ‘dead ends’, cul de sacs or vegetated ‘turning circles’. Built form is defined by suburban style detached two storey houses, on medium to large plots. A variety of architectural styles, reflecting a range of periods, includes early 20th century houses (including Victorian, Edwardian, and Arts and Crafts style), plus more recent development. The type is defined by a broad consistency of built form, spacing between buildings and lack of on street parking. The leafy suburban character is reinforced by well established private gardens (including mature trees/shrubs), that are often bounded by tall beech or laurel hedges. This provides a strong sense of enclosure and privacy to dwellings Mature oaks and scots pines reflect the underlying geology, while other large scale ornamental trees such as cedar and conifers contribute to the leafy character. There is a well-defined interface between public/private realm – marked by tall hedges or fences with entrance gates. Views are framed along leafy streets – street tree planting and/or trees and shrubs within front gardens allow only occasional glimpses to dwellings. A quiet and peaceful residential suburb.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 137 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION

Location/distribution of type The Leafy Residential Suburbs are located throughout the Borough, usually on the edges of settlements. These spacious suburbs comprise individual houses well set back from the road on large garden plots; unified by a ‘leafy’ streetscape character. Pattern of axial/linear and curving spine roads with Physical Influences several subsidiary streets culminating in dead-ends, cul-de-sacs or turning circles. Reproduced from The underlying geology is often expressed Ordnance Survey information with the permission of through the structural vegetation, which The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, includes oak, birch, scots pine, large leaved Crown Copyright, Licence Number 10001926. lime (depending on soil type) and ornamental species such as maple, cedar and Dwellings include a mixture of detached and conifers. Mature specimen trees including semi-detached houses set within generous remnant hedgerows trees, woodland and plots. Variation of set backs and spacing pine shelter belts (which are often protected between buildings, contributes to a varied through TPO designation) have a marked building line. Rooflines also vary, providing influence on visual character. visual interest. Driveway entrances often punctuate well-defined hedged or fenced Human Influences plot boundaries, providing access to short (often gravel) drives and glimpses to The Leafy Residential Suburbs have developed dwellings. Street proportions are generous, during the 20th century and display a wide although this aspect is often disguised by variety of architectural style and periods. mature trees.

Townscape Character Built Form & Architecture Architectural styles vary within this Land Use/Image townscape type. Clusters of late 19th and Land use is residential; image is of low early 20th century houses (including two density ‘leafy’ suburbs of varied built storey Victorian, Edwardian, and Arts and character. Crafts style) provide interest amongst post war detached houses. Consistency is Urban Form provided by the scale of built form, generous spacing between buildings, and mature The urban form is based on a network of garden frontage. roads or ‘avenues’ with subsidiary streets often terminating in ‘dead ends’, cul-de-sacs or turning circles. Building density is medium to low.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 138 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 or blockwork driveways often have large ornamental metal or timber entrance gates.

Open Space/Greenspace The Leafy Residential Suburbs have a closed and private character with few communal open spaces. Mature vegetation within private gardens contributes strongly to the leafy character and visual amenity of the streetscape. Species often reflect the underlying geology e.g. patches of bracken Two storey properties set on spacious plots with and pines reflect the sandy geology of mature garden frontage, as in this example from Ascot. Bagshot Sands. Turning circles with mature trees also contribute to the leafy character. Properties are predominantly two stories. Materials are dominated by light coloured brick and render, with clay tile or slate roofs. 1970s developments typically display a lighter palette with paler (yellow) bricks. Roof types and architectural detailing (including doors and windows) are highly varied. Further variety is created by modern dwellings, often in a neo-classical or neo-Tudor style.

Patches of bracken create a ‘heathy’ character and reflect the underlying sandy geology of Bagshot Sands (Sunninghill).

Views/Landmarks A strong structure of trees and shrubs (often within private front gardens) enclose most streets and restrict views. Views along straight streets are often framed by hedges. Dwellings located at the end of cul de sacs Dwellings of varied architectural style set within provide local focal points. Mature copses of spacious mature gardens (Wraysbury). trees within turning circles also provide focal points and local landmarks. Public Realm & Streetscape The streetscape is characterised by wide tarmac streets with few markings, stone or concrete kerbs, tarmac pavements and occasional grassed verges. Some roads (particularly private roads) have a gravel surface. The interface between the public and private realms is clearly defined by fences and hedges. Plots front onto the street, but are well-enclosed by mature trees and dense (often clipped) hedges (including beech, laurel and conifer species), brick walls or close board fencing. Gravel Mature copses of scots pine provide focal points and local landmarks, as in this example from Sunninghill.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 139 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Experience Modern development with open or ‘urbanised’ frontage such as parapet This ‘leafy’ suburban townscape type is walls, open gardens frontages and quiet. Activity during the day is restricted extensive hardstanding; which detract to local traffic along feeder streets. from the ‘leafy’ character. Although dwellings face towards the street, they are well-enclosed by tall boundary Guidance/Opportunities fences and hedges, which contributes to a closed and private character. It is recommended that the following principles are taken into account in the B. EVALUATION development design process and in public realm improvement projects:

Retain mature trees and woodland belts. Condition The active management of woodlands and other treed areas is encouraged, The street and block pattern is intact, including planning for future planting. buildings are well maintained and the streetscape is well managed, resulting in an Conserve and use trees as part of a leafy overall good condition. streetscape. The design should allow space for planting to mature. Due to the low density of buildings and large driveways, there is little pressure for on- Use a coordinated approach to new tree street parking. The ‘leafy’ aspect is slightly planting in terms of species and stature reduced in areas where plots contain short, (refer to character areas for appropriate open garden frontages with extensive species). Consider the planting of larger hardstanding and less vegetation cover. trees at key visual locations.

Within this type, there are four character Conserve (and promote the use of) of areas that re judged to be in particularly hedging for boundaries, in preference to good condition/intact examples of the type. other boundary treatments such as These are: walls, fences, gates and railings.

13A: Eton Road – Slough Road, Datchet Retain remaining Victorian, Edwardian and Arts and Craft style buildings. 13C: Montagu Road (Lower), Datchet Renovations should be sensitive with 13J: Bolton Avenue and Bolton Crescent, particular regard to roof heights, Windsor pitches, materials and detailing. 13K: Parsonage Lane, Windsor Sensitive contemporary design responding to its immediate context will Forces for Change be appropriate, where it makes reference to existing building heights, The Leafy Residential Suburbs seem to be massing and proportion, or stylistic relatively stable in terms of change, however references. Reference to existing the key forces for change which were materials may also be appropriate. evident during the site visit are as follows: Use of gravel surfacing for driveways in Development intensification including preference to tarmac and block paving. subdivision of plots and extensions to dwellings or subdivision of properties Maintain the unmarked nature of roads. into flats.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 140 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Character Areas

WINDSOR GROUP There are 18 local character areas in the in the Windsor Group (comprising Datchet, Eton, Eton Wick, Windsor, Old Windsor and Wraysbury). These are:

13A Eton Road – Slough Road, Datchet 13K Parsonage Lane, Windsor

13B Windsor Road, Datchet 13L Imperial Road, Windsor

13C Montagu Road (Lower), Datchet 13M Winkfield Road, Windsor

13D Horton Road, Datchet 13N St Leonard’s Hill, Windsor

13E Slough Road (Lower), Datchet 13O Wraysbury Riverside and Friary Island 13F The Friary, Old Windsor 13P Ouseley Road and Wharf Road, 13G Ouseley Road, Old Windsor Wraysbury

13H Pelling Hill, Old Windsor 13Q Welley Road, Wraysbury

13I Osborne Road and Alma Road, 13R Station Road, Wraysbury Windsor

13J Bolton Avenue and Bolton Crescent, Windsor This type is found in pockets throughout Datchet, Windsor, Old Windsor and Wraysbury (but not in Eton or Eton Wick). These areas all reveal characteristics typical of the residential suburb type – they are united particularly by the leafy character of the streetscape, the presence of high hedges and the low-medium density of development. This is shown in the photos overleaf, showing a selection of character areas from each settlement.

Area 13A Eton Road – Slough Road, Datchet is particularly notable for the presence of Victorian architecture (see photo overleaf). It is also worth noting that there is an isolated row of large Victorian properties on the northern edge of Area 13J Bolton Avenue and Bolton Crescent in Windsor – these are an anomaly in this type, but the area is too small to classify as a separate Victorian type and so remains within area 13J.

13H Pelling Hill, in Old Windsor and 13N St Leonard’s Hill, in Windsor are notable for their positions on hills – in these areas topography influences the layout of houses.

In addition, areas 13A-E (in Datchet), Areas 13F-H (in Old Windsor), Area 13K in Windsor, and Areas 13O-R in Wraysbury are located wholly or partially within the Environment Agency’s Flood Zone 3 (high risk of flooding event) which may have implications for future management of these areas. Part of Area 13J falls within the Inner Windsor Conservation Area while area 13B Windsor Road and parts of areas 13C Montagu Road (Lower) and 13D Horton Road fall within Datchet Conservation Area.

All of the generic guidance relates to these areas. In addition, it will be particularly important to conserve the Victorian character of properties in area 13A and the northern edge of area 13J.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 141 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 In the parts of Areas 13B, 13C, 13D and 13J that fall within conservation areas particular care will be needed to respect the character of the conservation areas (refer to conservation area appraisals and guidance).

The underlying geology of Datchet (Areas 13A-13E), Old Windsor (Areas 13F/G/H), Windsor (Areas 13I-13N) and Wraysbury (Areas 13O-13R) is London Clay. Suitable native tree species include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Field Maple, Hazel, Lime, Rowan, Aspen and Elder.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 142 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Photographs showing variations in character

Area 13A Eton Road – Slough Road, Datchet Area 13C Montagu Road (Lower), Datchet

Area 13F The Friary, Old Windsor Area 13H Pelling Hill, Old Windsor

Area 13K Parsonage Lane, Windsor Area 13N St Leonard’s Hill, Windsor

Area 13O Wraysbury Riverside and Friary Island Area 13R Station Road, Wraysbury

RBWM Townscape Assessment 143 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 14: VILLAS IN A WOODLAND SETTING

Key Characteristics An extremely low density residential suburb comprising large villas set in large, irregular plots. The urban form is based on an informal network of wide, winding roads and subsidiary cul-de-sacs. Dwellings occupy large footprints, set within extremely large garden plots. Buildings are set well back from the road, with long gravel drives and gated frontages – there is no on-street parking. Built style and period varies widely, from Victorian and Edwardian dwellings to late 20th Century neo-classical villas. A varied roofscape, with steep pitched tiled and slate roofs to Victorian properties contrasting with the more shallow pitch and simpler detailing of later and modern properties. Mature trees form a ‘sylvan’, almost rural, backdrop giving the impression of dwellings ‘in woodland’. Trees of historic character and considerable amenity value are often incorporated within development. Mature trees and hedges form important boundary features. The type is tranquil, quiet and essentially private in character – a ‘closed’ environment, with little public access.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 145 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION

Location/distribution of type The type is located throughout the southern part of the Borough, primarily within The Ascots and fringing Ascot Heath. Small pockets of this type area also found to the northern edge of Maidenhead, in the north of the Borough, and within the Cookhams. The type is often associated with significant structural landscape elements which predate current development. It shares attributes Organically evolved plots within woodland. with the Leafy Residential Suburbs, but is of a Townscape Character lower density with larger dwellings. Land Use/Image Physical Influences Land use is entirely residential across the The underlying geology is often expressed type, with buildings set in very large, often through the structural vegetation. Acid irregular garden plots. Development sands and gravels result in a vegetation displays an eclectic array of architectural palette which includes oak, birch, Scots pine, styles and periods. beech, sweet chestnut and ornamental coniferous species such as Wellingtonia and Urban form Corsican Pine. Oak, birch, ash, field maple, willow and rowan tend to predominate on The urban form is based on a network of clay soils, with oak, beech, ash, sycamore, wide, winding unmarked roads and and holly on the chalk. Mature specimen subsidiary cul-de-sacs (with more occasional trees and woodland belts (which are axial/linear streets associated with more frequently protected through TPO formal, older development). Street designation) have a marked influence on proportions are generous. character. Topography underlying these suburbs tends to be flat or gently undulating and therefore does not particularly influence the layout of roads or building.

Human Influences The townscape type has grown organically over a relatively long period, with irregular plots created within woodland throughout the 20th Century.

Urban form is based on a network of wide curvilinear streets (example from South Ascot).

A series of large, detached two and three storey villas (a number of which include double garages and occasionally supporting annexes) are set well back from the road, accessed by long gravel drives. Individual properties have wide gaps between them, with built density extremely low – this low

RBWM Townscape Assessment 146 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 built density sets these suburbs apart from boundaries defined by dense native and the Leafy Residential Suburbs. mixed hedges (species include hawthorn, beech and laurel), in addition to ornamental Built Form & Architecture walls and close board fencing. Ornamental gates are often apparent either in a low key This type displays a wide variety of traditional timber design or more elaborate architectural styles dating from a variety of wrought iron. periods, with Victorian lodge houses associated with the Crown Estate and larger late Victorian/Edwardian villas appearing as slightly scaled down country houses, developed within woodland. Victorian and Edwardian properties are typically ornate with sash windows, finials, steeply gabled roofs, some with half timbered gable ends. These are typically constructed from red brick and dressed stone with slate roof tiles. Some have stucco exteriors.

Late 20th Century buildings include ‘modern’ simple 1970s style villas as well as villas in a Garden boundaries create a clearly defined interface between public and private realm, as here at North neo-classical style, including some in a Ascot. ‘colonial’ idiom with full height Doric porticos, and others exhibiting five or seven Unmarked roads contribute to a semi-rural bay symmetrical neo-Georgian styles. character. Surfaces of tarmac and concrete kerbs, with gravel limited to private driveways. Grass verges are also evident, supporting mature street trees such as oaks and pines.

Modern street lighting poles are visible, often painted in a dark, muted green.

Due to the low density of buildings and large driveways, there is little pressure for on- street parking.

Development in a modern ‘neo-classical’ idiom, as Open Space/Greenspace shown in this example from Sunninghill. This type has a strongly wooded aspect 1970s development typically displays a which arises from the presence of woodland lighter palette of materials with paler belts between plots as well as in private (yellow) bricks used. This lightness is garden plots. accentuated by low roof pitches and large windows. Later buildings display a wide variety of materials, including red and yellow brick (including reclaimed stocks), concrete ridge tiles, slate, dressed and reconstituted stone for balusters, pediments, friezes and porticos. Stucco is also visible.

Public Realm & Streetscape The interface between the public and private realms is clearly defined, with garden

RBWM Townscape Assessment 147 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 There are no obvious landmarks, and the townscape often has a slightly disorientating quality. However, the villas themselves often form focal points.

Retention of historic features, such as avenues, within development.

Greenspace is almost entirely in private Longer views framed by avenues e.g. at North Ascot. ownership with only localised areas of communal greenspace such as verges and Experience turning circles. Some features of the former landscape, such as avenues, have survived This is a very peaceful, tranquil environment, within the townscape. of a semi-rural, ‘sylvan’ character. It is essentially closed and private with a number of private roads. This sense of privacy is reinforced by high hedges and the fact that properties are set well back from the road. This private quality is further reinforced by the presence of CCTV cameras and conspicuous signs referring to use of private security.

B. EVALUATION

Wellingtonias at North Ascot. Condition Private gardens are often densely wooded, with mature trees within making a notable Mature woodland and tree belts are largely contribution to townscape character. Tall intact, with a number of trees making a hedges to garden boundaries reinforce the significant contribution to townscape wooded character of these semi-rural character and visual amenity. The urban suburbs. form of large, organically formed plots off wide sinuous streets is similarly intact, as are Views/Landmarks the generally well wooded garden boundaries. However localised erosion has The winding character of roads and wooded occurred at points where more open garden character of the suburbs provides few frontages and walls and gates with an opportunities for long views or intervisibility ‘urbanising’ quality which detract from the with adjacent townscape types. However, semi-rural character. occasional long views are created by avenues which are former landscape Two character areas within this type are features now encompassed within the judged to be in particularly good townscape, for example at Kennel Avenue. condition/to be intact examples of the type. These are:

RBWM Townscape Assessment 148 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 14B: Queen Anne’s Road and Kings Road, and other treed areas is encouraged, Windsor including planning for future planting.

14C: Garson Lane, Wraysbury Consider the planting of larger trees at key locations. Forces for Change Conserve the use of hedging, trees and The Villas in a Woodland Setting seem to be other shrubs for boundaries, in relatively stable in terms of change, however preference to other forms of boundary forces for change which were evident on the treatment, such as walls, fences, gates site visit are as follows: and railings.

Replacement of older dwellings and Design development proposals to allow development intensification including for significant planted areas, particularly flatted development on larger plots, and those fronting roads, and allow space for resultant loss of mature trees. planting to mature.

Larger and more modern housing Development should be designed to designs, often accompanied by open or maintain the pre-eminence of mature ‘urbanised’ frontages. trees and shrubs when viewed from public areas. Loss of hedgerows along garden frontages. Use of gravel surfacing for driveways in preference to tarmac and block paving. Maturing vegetation – trees will eventually come to the end of their life. Retain remaining Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Renovations Presence of and reference to private should be sensitive, retaining period security systems introduces an details such as fenestration and unwelcoming element to the doorways, and using a muted colour environment. palette for paint finishes. Particular regard should be given to roof heights, Replacement of gravel driveways with pitches, materials and detailing. block paving. Sensitive contemporary design Guidance/Opportunities responding to its immediate context will be appropriate, where it makes It is recommended that the following reference to existing building heights, principles are taken into account in the massing and proportion, or stylistic development design process and in public references. Reference to existing realm improvement projects: materials may also be appropriate. Retain mature trees and woodland belts. Signage should be discreet and low key The active management of woodlands in character. Character Areas

WINDSOR GROUP There are only 3 local character areas in the Windsor Group (comprising Datchet, Eton, Eton Wick, Windsor, Old Windsor and Wraysbury). These are:

14A Burfield Road, Old Windsor 14C Garson Lane, Wraysbury

14B Queen Anne’s Road and Kings Road, Windsor

RBWM Townscape Assessment 149 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 This type of development is found in small pockets – one on the southern edge of Windsor, one on the southern edge of Old Windsor and one in Wraysbury. Areas 14A and 14C lie within EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of flooding event) which may have implications for future management.

These areas are all typical of the type in terms of urban form, comprising wide, winding unmarked roads and subsidiary cul-de-sacs with large, detached two and three storey villas set well back from the road. Area 14A Burfield Road, Old Windsor includes Burfield Lodge (a large early 19th century house of French Renaissance style) and its gatehouse (both listed buildings). Area 14B Queen Anne’s Road and Kings Road, Windsor includes Queen Anne’s Gate Lodge and Cottages (listed buildings within Windsor Great Park, a Registered Historic Park and Garden) which are particularly distinctive features, forming a gateway to Windsor. Area 14C Garson Lane, Wraysbury is particularly distinctive for its architectural style comprising half-timbered and thatched properties.

All of the generic guidance presented above applies to these local character areas, with particular emphasis on conserving the surviving historic properties in Area 14A (Burfield Lodge) and Area 14B (Queen Anne’s Gate Lodge and Cottages) and the wooded character of the areas. In addition to this, the historic gateways formed by the collection of distinctive buildings (including Queen Anne’s Gate Lodge and Crown Cottages) along Kings Road in Area 14C should be conserved as a key ‘arrival’ point into Windsor from Windsor Great Park.

New planting of native species could enhance links to the parkland landscape setting of Old Windsor, Windsor and Wraysbury. Suitable native tree species include Beech, Oak, Birch, Ash, Sycamore, Cherry, Rowan, Hawthorn, Field Maple, Hazel, Hawthorn, Willow and Lime.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 150 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Photographs of character areas

Area 14A Burfield Road, Old Windsor Area 14B Queen Anne’s Road and Kings Road, Windsor

Area 14C Garson Lane, Wraysbury

RBWM Townscape Assessment 151 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 15: COLLEGIATE

Key Characteristics An institutionally linked townscape with a diverse and spacious character including college buildings and their associated buildings set within large scale plots. Urban form is based on a main through route (or ‘High Street’), with narrower secondary lanes (often ending in dead-ends) branching off, and network of pathways or alleyways permeating between buildings. Block pattern is large, with large scale detached buildings orientated at various angles within irregular plots. Many of the college buildings are set back from the street, within large gardens and integrated with courtyards and greenspaces which contribute to a leafy character. Buildings range from the 15th century buildings (including the ornate chapel) to 20th century buildings which often form extensions to earlier buildings. Most buildings are constructed from local red brick and stone with slate or hand-made tile roofs. The boundary between the public and private realms is clearly marked by imposing frontage buildings, brick walls or cast iron railings. There are many important trees on the corner of roads, as well as tree lined roads and lanes which contribute to the leafy character. Glimpsed views are available down alleys and through doorways to the private grounds of the college buildings. The sense of vitality fluctuates, with a marked contrast between term and holiday time.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 153 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION Map showing Eton and Eton College in the early 15th6.

Townscape Character Location/distribution of type Land Use/Image This townscape type only occurs in Eton. It Land use is institutional and includes college is associated with Eton College. buildings and their associated uses. Buildings are often large in scale with austere, Physical Influences monumental and decorated facades that create a highly distinctive image. The underlying geology and soil characteristics are expressed through vegetation within open spaces in and around Urban Form the college buildings. Vegetation types also The urban form is based on a clear reflect the college’s floodplain/ riverside hierarchy of streets comprising a main location. Topography tends to be flat or through route (or ‘High Street’), with gently undulating and therefore does not narrower secondary lanes (often ending in greatly influence the urban form. dead-ends) branching off, and network of pathways or alleyways permeating between Human Influences buildings.

The Collegiate townscape has a wide variety Block pattern is large, with large scale of buildings representing development, detached buildings orientated at various alteration and redevelopment over different angles within irregular plots. Older buildings periods from Medieval up to the present are pulled close to the street and provide a day, often with development carefully continuous building line along the main planned. As such character is eclectic and street with open spaces behind the buildings. varied, with contrasting built periods and Many of the college buildings are set back styles juxtaposed in close proximity and the from the street, within large gardens and type revealing a sense of evolution. integrated with courtyards and greenspaces. This larger scale, open character contrasts with the tight grained, enclosed Historic Core of Eton, although there continues to be a sense of enclosure in the Collegiate area, particularly along the lanes which have relatively narrow widths compared to the height of the buildings, and along the pedestrian alleys between buildings.

6 Balance, S. (1982) A Town Called Eton, ‘Plate 1 Map of Eton in the early 15th Century’, The Eton Press Limited, Great Britain, p.13.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 154 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Most buildings at Eton are built from local red brick.

19th and 20th century buildings are 3-4 Eton College c.1860: Large scale buildings contrast in scale with Eton’s Historic Core7. storeys in height and constructed from brick with natural slate or hand-made clay tile th Built Form & Architecture roofs. Some of the early 20 century buildings often ostentatious in character, Architectural style varies widely across the constructed from brick and stone often with type due to the variety of ages of patterns in the brickwork. development. However, all development is of high quality and is often exuberant and, occasionally, ostentatious. Buildings range from the 15th century buildings (including the ornate chapel) to 20th century buildings which often form extensions to existing buildings, or form infill within the grounds of existing buildings. Medieval gothic design is typical of earlier buildings - a variety of roof pitches and features such as brick chimneys, turrets and cupolas contribute to a visually stimulating roofscape. Architectural detailing, Eton.

Most buildings are constructed from local Later development is of more simple, with red brick – the type includes important brick and steel structures, flat roofs and a examples of early brick buildings. However, high proportion of glass. the College Chapel (an important landmark building) is constructed from stone and this, as well as its ornate architecture, sets it aside from the other college buildings.

Later development has introduced further variety in built form at Eton.

Public Realm & Streetscape

7 Balance, S. (1982) A Town Called Eton, ‘Eton in The boundary between the public and about 1860’, The Eton Press Limited, Great private realms is clearly marked by imposing Britain, p.174.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 155 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 frontage buildings, brick walls or cast iron character, although some of the planting railings. Signage (information boards, reflects its floodplain setting. directional signage, building name plaques) unifies the townscape while good quality paving links hard open spaces together (including alleys and quadrangles). The streetscape also includes institutional features such as bicycle stands.

College grounds and gardens contribute to the network of open spaces within Eton.

Views/Landmarks Glimpsed views are available down alleys and through doorways to the private Some streets have a ‘leafy’ character in Eton. grounds of the college, e.g. court yards, squares, and gardens. Key frontage buildings There are many important trees on the form landmarks e.g. Eton College Chapel. corner of roads, as well as tree lined roads and lanes which contribute to the leafy character of the collegiate area.

Open Space/Greenspace There are many trees, gardens and open spaces – in fact the college is surrounded by open greenspace due to the presence of flood zones and unenclosed Lammas land immediately around the edges of collegiate area. Alluring glimpses through doorways, Eton.

In addition, trees that line the river are visible from many places in the townscape`

Experience The sense of vitality in the Collegiate townscape type fluctuates, with a marked contrast between term and holiday time. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic is a significant part of the Collegiate townscape around the

Eton College buildings are surrounded by open college buildings. The area also attracts greenspace. tourists. The Collegiate townscape type also provides an attraction for tourists and the Most open space with this type is in private presence of Eton students in their distinctive ownership and defined by gardens clothing also contributes to the distinctive surrounding college buildings, as well as image. court yards. Gardens generally have a formal layout of lawns, borders and paths This townscape provides a great sense of with some enclosing walls and railings. history and evolution. The type includes Vegetation tends to be ornamental in important examples of early brick buildings

RBWM Townscape Assessment 156 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 which imparts a sense of architectural Reflect the large scale block pattern, innovation. with large scale detached buildings orientated at various angles within B. EVALUATION irregular plots. Maintain and create new glimpsed and framed views down alleyways and Condition through doorways. As most buildings within the Collegiate Conserve the palette of local red brick townscape type are privately owned and and stone, with slate and tile roofs. managed, and form part of a Conservation Seek to reinstate these features when Area, the environment is in good condition. lost.

There have been some changes to buildings, Conserve traditional boundary building extensions and new buildings, but treatments such as local brick walls or this has generally been in accordance with cast iron railings. local styles and materials. The single character area within the type (15A: Eton Reflect the eclectic and varied built College) as judged to be an intact example vernacular, especially the character of of the type. front elevations and roofscape. Seek to retain active frontages to the street. Forces for Change Development should demonstrate that it Overall, the Collegiate townscape type preserves and enhances the setting of appears to be stable in terms of change. Listed Buildings and respect the form However, some limited forces for change and function of local landmarks (e.g. were evident during the site visit are views to College buildings). identified as follows: Take account of physical and visual links Presence of modern ancillary buildings, to the surrounding countryside. some of which have ignored the scale, form and style of historic buildings. Development and management measures should seek to reduce the Replacement of heritage materials with impact of parking provision through newer materials e.g. concrete kerbs or sensitive design to ensure cars do not tiles. dominate the street. Regard should be given to the historic setting for street Pressures for parking resulting in a furniture, paving, markings and signage, dominance of cars on the street. conserving original features where possible. Guidance/Opportunities Use a coordinated approach to street It is recommended that the following furniture and signage. principles are taken into account in the development design process and in public Retain important trees, including those realm improvement projects: on tree lined roads and lanes, planning for new tree planting to ensure Take account of the clear main through continuity of tree cover and a diverse route with narrower secondary lanes age structure. (often ending in deadends) branching off. The network of pathways or alleyways Use a coordinated approach to tree which permeates between buildings is a planting, in terms of species palette and particular characteristic, and should be stature, considering the planting of conserved. larger trees in key visual locations.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 157 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

Character Areas

15A Eton College This townscape type is unique to Eton College, which is part of Eton Conservation Area. It lies within the northern part of Eton’s settlement boundary, north of the Barnes Pool Bridge. It is located on a solid geology of Reading Beds, on a flat open floodplain north of the river Thames. Eton College’s perception of being part of a small town on the River Thames is reinforced by being surrounding by open space, which still retains unenclosed Lammas land, providing a rural setting to the College. The College is interspersed with trees, private court yards and small gardens, which form part of Eton College historic park/garden. The gardens contain several specimen trees that contribute to views of the College buildings. Many of the alleyways that criss-cross the College are also tree-lined. The vitality of the College is most strongly felt during school term, when large numbers of students permeate through the area, dressed in their distinctive uniforms. This sense of vitality is enhanced by College grounds staff cycling between buildings, making deliveries. In addition, there is a large amount of pedestrian usage of the main college street by tourists. The whole area falls within EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of a future flooding event), which may have implications for future management.

All of the above generic guidance above applies to this area. One of the principal areas for enhancement is the management of traffic and car parking. Since the area is located in a flood zone, there may be a need for flood mitigation measures. It will be important to ensure that any flood mitigation is constructed using materials that fit with the historic character of the area – sustainable urban drainage systems may present opportunities to include new planting of native species that could enhance links to the floodplain landscape setting. Suitable native tree species include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Rowan, Aspen and Elder.

In addition, ensure the historic gateways at Folly Bridge and Slough Road continue to provide key ‘arrival’ points into the historic core of Eton. Ensure that changes (e.g. to building massing and scale, roofscape and pitches, or relationship of buildings to space) do not detract from Eton College Chapel and the Memorial buildings at Windsor Road/Common Lane junction, as landmarks and conserve the node in front of Eton College Chapel as a point of focus in the townscape. Ensure the Barnes Pool Bridge continues to be readable in the townscape as an historic gateway between Eton Town Historic Core and Eton College. Maintain views of Eton College Chapel and Windsor Castle across the playing fields from Fifteen Arch Bridge. Consider the appearance of the settlement in views from Windsor Castle and across the floodplain (including South Field). Ensure that any changes are sympathetic to the historic park/garden at Eton College. In addition, refer to the Eton Conservation Area Appraisal for further more detailed guidance.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 158 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 16: LARGE INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

Key Characteristics This type comprises institutional developments, often of a scale which contrasts markedly with adjacent developments. Buildings include hospitals, barracks, emergency services and racecourses. The large scale of built development is matched by that of the surrounding open space, with greenspace, courtyards, forecourts and car parks all present. Principal buildings are often set back from street frontages, with smaller scale buildings or boundary walls to the street with formal entrances. Architectural idiom varies widely across the type, but includes ornate Victorian styles juxtaposed with contrasting contemporary buildings. The use of severe, utilitarian or monumental, and occasionally decorated facades creates a distinct identity. Glimpsed views are available from public roads to the ‘private’ grounds of the institutions. Busy and active urban environments, although activity is often sporadic or seasonal e.g. at the racecourse and barracks.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 159 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION Developments often originate from the 19th Century and earlier, for example at Ascot Racecourse. [1891-1912 Map Data supplied by Ordnance Survey and Landmark Information Group. Reproduced from Ordnance Survey information with Location/distribution of type the permission of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, Licence Number Large institutional developments are located 10001926]. throughout the Borough, but are particularly associated with the larger settlements Townscape Character (Windsor and Maidenhead), as well as the racecourse at Ascot. Land Use/Image Physical Influences Land use is institutional and includes hospitals, military barracks, emergency The underlying geology and soils are rarely services and racecourses. Buildings are expressed in townscape character. often large in scale and clearly distinct from However, in some instances, open surrounding buildings, in terms of greenspace within the grounds of proportions, materials and aesthetic. The institutions provides references to the use of severe, utilitarian or monumental, and underlying geology e.g. oaks, beech and ash occasionally decorated facades create a on clay, and pines or more ornamental distinct image. species such as Cedar of Lebanon on sands. Topography underlying this type tends to be flat or gently undulating and therefore does not greatly influence the urban form.

Human Influences The type bears witness to a relatively long history of built development, alteration and redevelopment, with developments within this type often originating in the 19th Century or earlier and being subsequently adapted, amended, added to or re-built. As Buildings are often large in scale and clearly distinct from their surrounding townscape, as in this example such character is eclectic and varied, with from Windsor. contrasting built periods and styles juxtaposed in close proximity. Urban Form Development is usually located alongside main roads leading into settlement centres. Principal blocks (equivalent to 3-5 storeys) are set well back from the street, although smaller buildings (equivalent to 2 storeys) may front directly onto the street. Street frontages are defined by high walls, railings or hedging.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 160 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

Large buildings are set back from the street frontage (Ascot Racecourse).

Built Form & Architecture Buildings vary in age and style across the type, but are consistent in their large scale (Maidenhead).

Public Realm & Streetscape This is essentially a closed, private environment. Interface with the public streetscape is defined by imposing frontage buildings, brick walls or railings. Paving materials to the public streetscape are modern e.g. tarmac with concrete kerbs and do not generally reflect the historic built fabric/façade development.

19th Century development at Ascot Racecourse.

Architectural idiom varies widely across the type, but includes ornate Victorian styles juxtaposed with contrasting contemporary buildings. A variety of roof pitches and features such as gables and cupolas create Developments often have imposing frontages and a visual interest on older buildings. More private character, as in this example from Windsor. modern ancillary development is of a much more simple, utilitarian character with ‘box’ Open Space/Greenspace forms and flat roofs. Most open space with this type is in private ownership. The predominant character of open space is functional and utilitarian, with large areas of open space given over to car parking. Hard landscape also includes paved courtyards/ forecourts. Surfaces are typically tarmac and gravel bonded tarmac, with a lighter coloured finish.

‘Soft’ open space includes mown lawns and mature trees, sometimes of a parkland character.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 161 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Views/Landmarks due to the more piecemeal character of development, and the lower grade of Glimpsed views are available from public materials used for buildings and open spaces. roads to the ‘private’ grounds of the institutions, e.g. courtyards and forecourts In spite of successive high profile and car parks, and associated visual clutter redevelopments and provision of new including signage and vehicles. facilities the type has often retained areas of intact Victorian development. Key frontage buildings form landmarks e.g. at Ascot Racecourse. One character area within this type (16C: King Edward VII Hospital) is judged to be in Experience particularly good condition/to be an intact example of the type. These are busy and active urban environments, although activity is often Forces for Change sporadic or seasonal e.g. at the racecourse and the barracks. The variety of built detail This townscape type is often evolving and adds to the visual interest of the townscape. has undergone much change and Spatial relationships are rarely of a ‘human’ redevelopment. The stability of character is scale and can be experienced as imposing or therefore variable. uncomfortable. Forces for change which were evident during the site visit were identified as follows:

Redevelopment and re-siting of original infrastructure (e.g. re-location of stands at Ascot Racecourse) and associated implications for spatial character.

Incremental redevelopments and additions have resulted in a variety of scales, orientations and use of materials in some areas.

Architectural detailing contributes to visual interest, The use of temporary buildings in as seen here at Ascot. education and health institutions. Modern ancillary buildings which have B. EVALUATION ignored the original scale/architecture.

Low grade of materials used for open spaces and paving in public sector Condition institutional developments. The condition of the urban environment associated with this type is variable Guidance/Opportunities depending on the nature of the institutional use. Privately owned institutional properties It is recommended that the following are often in a good, well maintained principles are taken into account in the condition, with prestigious, landmark development design process and in public buildings adding to this quality. Forecourts realm improvement projects: and open spaces are simple, neat, Retain remaining 19th Century buildings. uncluttered and generally well managed. In Ancillary buildings and development in contrast public sector institutional the surrounding area should seek the developments have a more neglected air,

RBWM Townscape Assessment 162 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 integration of historic buildings and use hard landscape, introducing a simple, co a complementary palette of materials. coordinated and unified palette of materials and street furniture. Retain important trees, vegetation and open spaces, planning for new tree Use design to create visual interest planting to ensure continuity of tree including the use of subtle variation in cover and a diverse age structure. heights and roof pitches, in addition to the use of detailing to articulate building Give consideration to the planting of facades. The apparent scale of large larger trees at key visual locations and buildings may be reduced through the where they would help soften the use of a light, muted palette of earth and appearance of larger buildings and areas sky colours. of hardstanding. Use master plans to ensure coordinated Development and management long-term development and measures should seek to enhance the management.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 163 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Character Areas

16A Victoria Barracks This local character area comprises Victoria Barracks, built in 1853 and rebuilt in the 1980s, south of Windsor Castle. Located west of Sheet Street on a solid geology of Reading Beds, the Barracks sit within a residential context, surrounded by some of Windsor’s earliest suburbs to the east and south. The area abuts Windsor Historic Fringe to the north and west. The barracks have private character, entirely bound by high brick walls and guarded by armed forces. Principal buildings are set back from street frontages. Principal entrances are clearly marked by signage. Open space is defined predominantly by areas of car parking and a central lawned square.

All of the guidance above applies to this area. In particular, seek to enhance streetscape character with a more unified palette of paving materials that are sympathetic to the surrounding Historic Core (Area 1B), Georgian Suburbs (Area 4B) and Victorian and Edwardian Suburbs (Area 6H). Typical tree species on clay substrate in the Windsor area include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Field Maple, Hazel, Lime, Rowan, Aspen and Elder.

16B Combermere Barracks This local character area comprises Combermere (Cavalry) barracks, home of the Household Cavalry. The barracks were built along St. Leonard's Road in the early 19th century, south west of Windsor Castle, on a solid geology of London Clay. The barracks were redeveloped in 1953. Built form is characterised by simple, rectangular three to five storey buildings with a regular layout. Open space is defined predominantly by areas of car parking, squares and courtyards between buildings. Aside from King Edward VII Hospital (east of the area), the barracks sit within a residential context. Principal buildings are set back from street frontages; entirely bound by high brick walls and steel fences. Open space is not visible from the street; however trees within the barracks contribute to the streetscape.

All of the guidance above applies to this area. Typical tree species on clay substrate in the Windsor area include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Field Maple, Hazel, Lime, Rowan, Aspen and Elder.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 164 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 16C King Edward VII Hospital This local character area comprises King Edward VII Hospital, which was built in 1909 on the junction of St. Leonard's Road and Frances Road. The main hospital building comprises a three-bay pediment, mansard-tile roof and circular domed turret crowning the roof. It provides a key focus in views from nearby roads. However, the building’s foreground (including a statue) is dominated by car park. Considerable contrast is created by the juxtaposition of this early 20th Century building and the modern ancillary development which is of a simple, utilitarian character with ‘box’ forms and flat roofs.

All of the guidance above applies to this area, with particular reference to conserving the setting of older buildings and enhancing the quality of open spaces and the public realm. Typical tree species on clay substrate in the Windsor area include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Field Maple, Hazel, Lime, Rowan, Aspen and Elder.

16D The Princess Margaret Hospital This local character area comprises The Princess Margaret Hospital; a late post war infill development built along Osborne Road, south of Windsor Castle. The hospital was built on former playing fields, opposite large 19th century villas, which form part of Windsor’s Leafy Residential Suburbs townscape type. Open space is defined by large areas of car parking to the front and rear of the hospital; which is softened by perimeter mature tree planting. Street trees along Osborne Road strongly contribute to the streetscape. This hospital forms part of the Inner Windsor Conservation Area.

All of the guidance above applies to this area, with particular reference to conserving the leafy character of Osborne Road. Maintain trees as part of the streetscape, using smaller species where space is tight or where larger trees may damage buildings. Typical tree species on clay substrate in the Windsor area include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Field Maple, Hazel, Lime, Rowan, Aspen and Elder. Refer to the Inner Windsor Conservation Area Appraisal for further guidance.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 165 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 16E Alma Road, Windsor This local character area comprises the Metropolitan Police headquarters, East Berkshire College and Windsor Fire Station, along Alma Road and Hawtrey Road. The area includes late post war infill developments built on former open space (including allotment gardens) associated with Imperial College and Holy Trinity Church. The area is split by large Victorian houses lining Alma Road, which form part of Windsor’s Leafy Residential Suburbs. Considerable contrast is created by the juxtaposition of Victorian residential development with this later and modern development, which is of a different scale and vernacular. Modern development is of a simple, utilitarian character with ‘box’ forms and flat roofs, surrounded by parking and small courtyards. Street trees along Alma Road strongly contribute to the streetscape.

All of the guidance above applies to this area, with particular reference to conserving the leafy character of Alma Road. Maintain trees as part of the streetscape, using smaller species where space is tight or where larger trees may damage buildings. Typical tree species on clay substrate in the Windsor area include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Field Maple, Hazel, Lime, Rowan, Aspen and Elder.

16F St John Ambulance, Maidenhead Road This local character area comprises St John Ambulance Hall and grounds, built on the flat floodplain south of Clewer Village. The character area falls within EA Flood Zone 3 (high risk of a future flooding event), which may have implications for future management. Development is of a simple, utilitarian character with ‘box’ forms and flat roofs, surrounded by parking and large areas of open spaces, including several outdoor tennis courts and lawn areas. Mature trees (limes) along Maidenhead Road are an important feature of the streetscape.

All of the guidance above applies to this area, with particular reference to conserving the street trees along Maidenhead Road. In addition to this, sustainable urban drainage systems (to assist in flood management) may present opportunities to include new planting of native species that could enhance links to the floodplain landscape setting. Suitable native tree species include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Rowan, Aspen and Elder.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 166 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 17: INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ESTATES

Key Characteristics Low density industrial and commercial development including industrial estates, business parks and offices. Development is within large plots, accessed by roads terminating in dead ends. Built form is large scale and simple, often comprising rudimentary sheds together with smaller subsidiary office buildings to street frontages and at entrances. Boundaries are delineated by palisade fencing and other security fencing including stout timber close board fencing and chainlink fencing topped with barbed wire. Open space includes car parking and ornamental landscape schemes in communal areas. Materials palette is simple, with steel framed sheds clad with metal sheet cladding, dark wire cut brick and asbestos roof tiles, in addition to concrete and yellow brick for office buildings. Business park developments include plate glass and stainless/painted steel construction. Surfaces are mainly tarmac, in situ concrete and DOT Type 1 (crushed stone) with concrete kerbs. Modern business parks use more ‘designed’ hard materials including concrete flags and block paving. Views are kept short by large buildings.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 167 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 A. DESCRIPTION Reproduced from Ordnance Survey information with the permission of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, Licence Number 10001926. Location/distribution of type Much of the development within this type dates from the 1930s. Each ‘estate’ grew in This type is located in discrete areas within a a relatively short period of time, resulting in number of major settlements within the a consistency of built form and character borough, including Maidenhead and within each estate. Windsor. Townscape Character Physical Influences Land Use/Image Underlying physical landscape characteristics do not heavily influence the character of the Land use is predominantly focused in the type. Bedrock geology is highly variable with industrial, commercial and business sectors. settlements in the southern part of the Gas holders and related infrastructure are Borough characterised by Baghsot Beds, also present. settlements adjacent to the Thames around Windsor on London Clay, and to the north on chalk, associated with the scarps rising from the Thames. On the Bagshot Beds, the geology and associated sandy soils are expressed through vegetation including Scots Pines.

Topography underlying this type tends to be flat or gently undulating and therefore does not greatly influence the urban form

Human Influences This example from Sunninghill (Bridge Road) shows the presence of industrial infrastructure, such as gas The type evolved in a number of ways – holders. some areas evolved on the site of railway sidings and goods yards/depots, while other Urban Form areas evolved on poor quality or undesirable land (for example in floodplains, or alongside Development is within large plots, accessed major roads) to provide sources of by roads terminating in dead ends, and employment for nearby residential areas. typically has its back to residential areas. The scale of built development is large, typically 2-3 commercial storeys (approximately 9-12 metres) in height. Buildings are arranged as large, regular and often repetitive blocks, of relatively uniform height and simple rectangular form within each estate. There are generally large spaces between buildings resulting in a low density of development.

Built Form & Architecture

Built form and architecture is characterised The type evolved in a number of ways – some areas by 20th Century industrial and employment evolved on the site of railway sidings and goods development. Built form is simple and yards/depots, while other areas evolved on poor includes large sheds, often steel framed and quality or undesirable land.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 168 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 clad in corrugated sheet metal or otherwise timber close board fencing. In publicly built of dark, wire cut brick. Roof materials accessible estates, the distinction between are typically asbestos roof tiles for 1930s or public and private realm is often blurred due 1940s buildings, or sheet metal cladding to the use of a single type of paving surface systems for newer development. More and the lack of distinction in levels between recent business park type development has private land, communal areas and public more architectural details and uses a lighter streets. palette of building materials including aluminium cladding and light coloured brick. The streetscape is characterised tarmac streets with concrete kerbs and tarmac pavements. Block paved areas are common in newer business parks. Parking is often on streets or in communal parking bays.

Street trees are uncommon; however communal areas are often landscaped with ornamental planting, particularly in more modern business parks.

Open Space/Greenspace

Open space is generally planned into each Buildings are large and often simple in form (South estate and consists of areas of hardstanding Ascot). (often given over to car parking), grass verges and communal landscaped areas. The Utilitarian structures including gas holders planting is ornamental in character and often form another distinctive and prominent bears no relation to underlying landscape component of the built form. character. Industrial areas are often A number of the industrial estates have been surrounded by amenity planting of fast partly redeveloped as business parks and growing species such as Lombardy Poplar. office/campus type developments. Modern, large scale 2-3 storey plate glass and steel buildings are often present in these developments.

Planting is ornamental in character, as in this example at Maidenhead.

There are occasional remnant native trees which are remnants of the former landscape Newer business parks include buildings constructed structure and provide links to the underlying from glass and steel (Maidenhead). geology and soils. Public Realm & Streetscape Views/Landmarks Some estates are inaccessible due to the Views are often framed by industrial presence of steel palisade, barbed wire buildings and limited by development and topped security fencing, and substantial

RBWM Townscape Assessment 169 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 fenced boundaries within the industrial estates. The foregrounds to most views are characterised by fencing (an eclectic range of boundary treatments including palisade fencing and chainlink with barbed wire), car parking and signage.

Due to the consistency in character of built form within each estate, landmarks are not a feature of the Industrial and Commercial Estates.

Experience Poorly maintained boundaries in older developments Due to the influence of vehicular movement (example from Sunninghill). this is an active environment during the day. The presence of tall boundary fences Forces for Change contributes to a slightly threatening character, particularly at night. These are Stability of this type is variable, with inward-looking developments – buildings redevelopment and upgrading of existing typically have their backs to adjacent sites often visible. residential areas. Key forces for change which were evident during the site visit are as follows: B. EVALUATION Continued extension and expansion of existing industrial estates, in particular to cater for more ‘prestigious’ business Condition park type development, including some Industrial and commercial land uses have larger scale buildings. This includes varied levels of management with some intensification of land uses within areas in poor condition, although more existing industrial estate footprints. recent business park developments show a higher level of landscape management. Incremental redevelopments and Within the older developments verges and additions have resulted in a variety of boundaries are often in neglected condition. scales, orientations and use of materials. Older buildings often have a weathered The low level of maintenance to building appearance, particularly where non elevations, site boundaries and verges in galvanised or ferrous metals have been used older estates result in continuing gradual for cladding/framing. There are no areas decline in condition. that are in particularly notable for their condition or intactness within the Windsor Ongoing repairs/replacement of settlement group. streetscape features e.g. paving and infrastructure such as gas and water mains.

Gradual/piecemeal intensification of parking, which has occupied all areas of open land up to building footprints.

Guidance/Opportunities It is recommended that the following principles are taken into account in the

RBWM Townscape Assessment 170 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 development design process and in public parking provision and access through realm improvement projects: sensitive design. Parking areas should be provided behind and to the side of Design should aim to enhance landscape buildings to help reduce its dominance and boundaries. Soft boundary from public areas, particularly from treatments including hedges are outside the estate (e.g. from adjacent encouraged. In such instances security residential areas). Consideration should fencing should be screened by planting. also be given to landscape planting to frame or ‘foil’ parking areas. Retain important trees, vegetation and open spaces, planning for new tree The establishment of new and improved planting to ensure continuity of tree pedestrian and cyclist routes. cover and a diverse age structure. Use design to create visual interest Consider the planting of larger trees at including the use of subtle variation in key visual locations and where they heights and roof pitches. The apparent would help soften the appearance of scale of large buildings may be reduced larger buildings and areas of through the use of a light, muted palette hardstanding. of earth and sky colours in material finishes. Development and management decisions should seek to reduce the impact of

Character Areas

WINDSOR GROUP There are 4 local character areas in the Windsor Group – they occur in Datchet and Windsor (there are none in Eton, Eton Wick, Windsor, Old Windsor or Wraysbury).

17A Datchet Rail Sidings 17C Maidenhead Road, Windsor

17B Inner Windsor 17D Dedworth Road, Windsor

These areas tend to be located alongside the railway, or on the outskirts of settlements. Areas 17A and 17B fall within Environment Agency Flood Zone 3 (high risk of flooding event) which may have implications for future management.

These areas are typical of the generic industrial and commercial estates type in terms of urban form, with development in large plots, accessed by roads terminating in dead ends. Areas 17A, 17B and 17D comprise 1960s/1970s style brick buildings in mixed business and light industrial use (see photos below). Area 17C Maidenhead Road, Windsor is a modern business park development containing contemporary plate glass, concrete and stainless steel buildings. Open space within this area is particulraly well cared for with clipped hedges and manicured lawns. Area 17B Inner Windsor is notable for its location close to the centre of Windsor, alongside the railway arches carrying the Windsor-Slough railway line (a listed structure).

All of the generic guidance applies to these areas. In particular, in Area 17, seek to use landscape design to enhance the relationship of car parking to frontages. In Area 17B, conserve the railway arches carrying the Windsor-Slough railway line and seek opportunities to make the most of this structure in the townscape by integrating modern design that makes innovative use of the structure and responds well to its scale and detailing.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 171 Final Report 2010: Volume 2 Typical tree species on the clay substrate in Windsor and Datchet include Willow, Alder, Birch, Oak, Sycamore, Hawthorn, Ash, Beech, Field Maple, Hazel, Lime, Rowan, Aspen and Elder.

Photographs of character areas

Area 17A Datchet Rail Sidings Area 17B Inner Windsor

Area 17C Maidenhead Road, Windsor Area 17D Dedworth Road, Windsor

RBWM Townscape Assessment 172 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

5. USING THE ASSESSMENT

5.1. This assessment provides a comprehensive characterisation of the settlements within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. The assessment aims to:

provide a tool for decision making in the development control process;

inform planning policy formation;

guide management decisions;

form an information source for further work e.g. Area Action Plans, development briefs, and more detailed guidance on specific subjects. 5.2. Government guidance requires that plans, including Local Development Frameworks should be “objective led” and to this end the assessment provides clear statements of what needs to be done to deliver conservation, enhancement or restoration of the townscape. 5.3. It is proposed that this work will be an important part of the evidence base supporting the policies within the Local Development Framework (LDF) and will therefore be an initial information source for individual planning applications. The assessment will need to be used in conjunction with the saved policies of the Local Plan, the emerging LDF, and other adopted planning policy and guidance. 5.4. First and foremost, the assessment is intended to be a useful source of information for all those that are involved in the development process or the management of the public realm. The assessment is not prescriptive but does recommend principles which should be carefully considered. It should be read in conjunction with other characterisation assessments such as Conservation Area Appraisals and Village Design Statements, and does not replace the need for qualified design advice from architects, urban designers, landscape designers and planners. The flow chart overleaf provides a process to assist those using the report in relation to development control decisions.

RBWM Townscape Assessment 173 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

LOCATION Identify geographical location of the development (using maps in the relevant Volume of the townscape report)

STEP 1 SETTLEMENT CHARACTER TYPE / AREA Identify which settlement the Identify which townscape type / development is located within character area the development is

COLLECT INFORMATION INFORMATION COLLECT located within

FOR RELEVANT SETTLEMENT FOR RELEVANT TOWNSCAPE Use relevant Volume to identify: TYPE / AREA urban structure Use relevant Volume to identify: values character guidance/opportunities condition guidance/opportunities STEP 2

AND SENSITIVITIES IDENTIFY SIGNIFICANT IDENTIFY DEVELOPMENT

TOWNSCAPE CHARACTERISTICS TOWNSCAPE

EFFECT ON TOWNSCAPE CHARACTER

Does the development affect the In what ways does the development fit urban structure? with the character of the type/area? Does the development affect values? Does the development comply with Does the development comply with guidance or offer opportunities to

STEP 3 the guidance for the settlement? implement the recommendations?

EFFECTS ON CHARACTER CHARACTER ON EFFECTS DETERMINING POTENTIAL POTENTIAL DETERMINING

SUMMARY OF EFFECTS ON CHARACTER

Development enhances Development adversely affects character and quality character and quality STEP 4

DECISION-MAKING DECISION-MAKING Use information in the Use answers to questions above

USING INFORMATION IN USING guidance to attach to justify decision or recommend relevant conditions an alternative scheme

RBWM Townscape Assessment 174 Final Report 2010: Volume 2

Appendix 1: Glossary

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Term Definition

‘Ancient Lights’ Used on older buildings to denote an historic easement for windows/natural light which should not be breached by taller development.

Ashlar Masonry of large blocks wrought to even faces and square edges.

Bay window Window of one or more storeys projecting from the face of a building. [Canted = straight front and angles sides; Bow = curved; Oriel = rests on brackets and starts above ground level).

Blockwork Use of large blocks for walling as opposed to bricks. Blocks with a decorative finish are often referred to as ‘fair face’ blockwork.

Built form The characteristic nature of built development.

‘Bull nose’ windows Circular feature windows, often seen on arts and crafts/’garden city’ or garden suburb houses of the pre war period.

Burgage plots Enclosed plots or divisions of manorial open fields within the medieval Open Field System.

Corinthian One of the Graeco classical architectural orders, with columns defined by elaborately carved ‘acanthus’ heads.

Crucks Of timber framed buildings: large principal timbers used to form an ‘A frame’ and to create the structural integrity in earlier medieval timber framed buildings

Cupola A small dome on a circular or polygonal base crowning a roof or turret. Often covered with lead flashing or weathered copper sheet.

Density The concentration of building units within a certain area (PPS 3 indicates that 30 dwellings per hectare (dph) net should be used as a national indicative minimum). NB net density is calculated by including only those site areas which will be developed for housing and directly associated uses, including access roads within the site, private garden space, car parking areas, incidental open space and landscaping and children’s play areas, where these are provided, PPS3.)

Term Definition

Dispersed Of a settlement: Scattered/open form

Doric One of the Graeco-classical architectural orders, with columns defined by simple, severe ‘drum’ heads.

Dormer window Window projecting from the slope of a roof.

DOT Type 1 Low grade crushed stone or ‘scalpings’ which are often used to form sub bases for paving and streets.

Double-fronted Where the building façade extends to either side of the principal entrance. The arrangement may be either symmetrical or asymmetrical.

Drag faced A technique for finishing bricks where a serrated wire is used to cut the bricks, giving a rough textured effect. Often used on early postwar dwellings.

Edwardian The era between 1901-1910/1914.

Engineering brick Dense, highly vitrified and very durable brick, in dark blue/purple/plum colours. Often used for railway infrastructure and paving.

‘Eye brow’ windows (Usually) upper floor windows partly recessed into the roofline with distinctive curve/bulge to roof tiling to accommodate.

Eyots Wooded riparian islands, often characterised by willows/osiers

English bond A pattern made from alternating courses of headers with courses of stretchers.

Faience Vitrified enamel tile frontages often used for commercial frontages in the early 1900s.

Fanlight Decorative glazing above the front door to a property, often evident to Georgian and Regency properties.

Fenestration The pattern/arrangement and style of windows.

Ferrous Of metals: Iron and related alloys such as steel; corrosive metals.

Figure: Ground The relationship of built form to open space/areas.

Flemish bond Brick bond where stretchers and headers are laid alongside one another.

Term Definition

Gable The triangular top section of a side wall on a building with a pitched roof that fills the space beneath where the roof slopes meet; or a triangular structure added to a building for decoration (e.g. over a door or window).

Gault brick Brick made form Gault clay, giving a pale/grey or ‘white appearance when fired. Popular in the Victorian era.

Georgian The era between 1714-1830. Buildings are characterised by a pared down, symmetrical and ordered classical style. The final incarnation (1820-30) is often referred to as Regency, and is more delicate, ornamented and ‘insubstantial’ in visual appreance. Early buildings of the Georgian period incorporated features associated with the Palladian style of the late 17th Century.

GIS Geographic Information System - an information system for capturing, storing, analysing, managing and presenting spatial data.

Grain (urban grain) Pattern of streets, buildings and other features within an urban area.

Half hipped roof Where the gable ends of a roof are truncated/part sloped to the top.

Hipped roof A roof with sloping ends as well as sides.

Idiom (Of architecture). A visual style/image/appearance.

Indigenous (Of building materials) Specific to a given locality/place.

Intervisibility The property of visibility from two or more points/references.

Interwar The era between 1918-1939.

Ionic One of the Graeco-classical architectural orders, with columns defined by simple, scrolled heads.

Isovist Intervisibility expressed in graphical form e.g. the extent of visibility, by projecting the extents of a building façade or a space outwards

Jacobean The final incarnation of Tudor architecture (late 16th/early 17th Century), much imitated in mid/late Victorian house building.

Term Definition

Knapped flint Split flints arranged with split face exposed for decorative effect e.g. in a wall.

Lammas land A class of commonable land, normally meadow, communally held and managed for part of the year, but open to commonable animals when harvest is over (historically between Lammas Day: 1 August and Lady Day: 25 March) (British Agricultural History Society, http://www.bahs.org.uk/09n2a5.pdf).

Landmark A prominent structure or geographical feature that identifies a location and contributes positively to the townscape.

Lime wash Thin layer of lime plaster render.

Linear A settlement form where development is centred on one street, often with little depth and building pulled close to street frontages

London stock Bricks made of London Clay. Usually have a warm yellow appearance when fired.

Medieval period From 1066 (Norman Conquest of England) to the 16th century.

Node A junction or intersection formed perhaps historically e.g. by a market cross or milestone, a place where people congregate e.g. market/urban square or urban green.

Nolli Map A figure ground map (named for Giambattista Nolli)

Mansard roof A roof that slopes on all four sides, with each side divided into a gentle upper slope and a steeper lower slope.

‘Metropolitan’ Relating to the suburban style of domestic architecture prevalent during the interwar period (1918-39).

Mullion The vertical dividing bars of a window.

Nucleated A radial settlement form (depth).

Pebble dashing A type of render where aggregate is thrown at a wet plastered wall to create a textured effect. Often seen on interwar period houses.

Polychrome (Of brickwork). Use of multicolour brickwork in geometric patterns for decorative effective, for example

Term Definition

courses of gault brick/London stock or blue brick ‘headers’ juxtaposed/contrasting with the principal coloured bricks for the face. Popular for higher status buildings in the Victorian era when an increasingly wide materials palette was available.

Regency Styles of architecture and design in Britain in the period 1800-1830 forming a natural continuation of the Georgian style. Typically classical in nature comprising brick buildings covered in stucco or painted plaster with fluted Greek columns and painted cornices.

Riven stone Where stone is cleft or split along the ‘grain’ as in case of York stone paving.

Roman cement Another word for stucco or decorative plaster, particularly where it used to use to create the illusion of carved/moulded stonework or ashlar.

Sand faced Of bricks: where sand is scattered over brick faces before firing, to give a decorative texture when burnt.

Streetscape The elements within and along a street that define its appearance, identity, and functionality, including adjacent building frontages, street furniture, trees, pavement treatments, and roads.

Stretcher bond A brick bond/pattern with each course made entirely of brick laid end to end.

Stucco Fine lime plaster worked to a smooth surface.

Suburb A residential district on the outskirts of a city or town.

Tegula A form of modern sett paver, made of concrete, often coloured and in variety of sizes. Used in modern heritage paving schemes from the late 20th Century.

Townscape character The distinct, recognisable and consistent pattern of elements that occur in a particular townscape and how these are perceived. It reflects particular combinations of geology, landform, land use, morphology and building types.

Townscape character Distinct types of townscape that are relatively types (borough level) homogeneous in character. They are generic in nature in that they may occur in different settlements across the Borough, but share broadly similar combinations of

Term Definition

land use, morphology and building types.

Townscape character Single unique areas that a discrete geographical area of areas (borough level) a particular townscape type.

Transom A horizontal dividing bar for a window.

Vernacular The local architecture of a place or people.

Victorian period The period from 1837 to 1901.

Wattle and daub The characteristic infill of medieval timber framed buildings, using woven willow/hazel wands or timber laths, and then plastered with horse hair and or lime plaster.

Wire cut Bricks finished by being cut by wire, giving smooth sides. Used on modern (mid 20th Century and later) properties.

York stone A type of hard sandstone from the Yorkshire Dales, of warm gold colour. Very durable and often used for street paving prior to the early/mid 20th Century.

Appendix 2: Field Survey Form

RBWM TOWNSCAPE: FIELD SURVEYSURVEY SHEET SETTLEMENT LEVEL

Photograph Nos: Date: Weather:

SETTLEMENT:

LOCATION AND SETTING (including urban edges and links to the RBWM landscape character areas)

URBAN STRUCTURE Historic routes:

Historic gateways:

LAND USE CONSULTANTS Nodes:

Landmarks:

Key views:

KEY ISSUES (settlement level)

______

LAND USE CONSULTANTS RBWM TOWNSCAPE: FIELD SURVEYSURVEY SHEET TYPE LEVEL

Photograph Nos: Date: Weather:

TOWNSCAPE TYPE:

LOCATION/DISTRIBUTION OF TYPE

PHYSICAL INFLUENCES Underlying geology ______

Underlying topography ______

Do underlying physical influences affect the character of the townscape (e.g. in the case of a floodplain or steep valley?) ______

LAND USE CONSULTANTS HUMAN INFLUENCES

Evidence of evolution of the urban form (and key visible historic components) ______

Period of predominant character (age of built environment) ______

TOWNSCAPE CHARACTER

Key characteristics & distinctive ConditionCondition// sensitivities incl. Forces for change (mechanisms, Opportunities/ Guidance (design features (including contribution to examples evidence, will change result in principles for development and overall character) positive, negative or neutral opportunities for enhancement) impacts?) Land Use/Image e.g. commercial, civic, residential, collegiate, N/A User conflicts? ecclesiastical, etc.

LAND USE CONSULTANTS Urban Form Roads hierarchy and character (cul-de- sacs/main through routes; stone/concrete kerbs/no kerbs, unmarked/marked etc.)

Nodes (concentration of activity and routes)

Enclosure & Street Proportions

LAND USE CONSULTANTS Block Pattern (including plot form and building lines)

Other infrastructure (e.g. rail, canal, bridleway, footpaths)

LAND USE CONSULTANTS 3D Massing scale and density of buildings

Built Form & Architecture Building types - architectural form, age, style & materials

LAND USE CONSULTANTS Frontages to street incl. fenestration, doorways & porches, rhythm and pattern of facades

Roofscape incl. style, rhythm, details, materials etc.

LAND USE CONSULTANTS Public Realm & Streetscape Public/private realm interface do buildings present backs or fronts to public realm?

Boundaries and edges, paving materials, street furniture, lighting

LAND USE CONSULTANTS Trees and their contribution to the streetscape (including street trees, trees on verges etc)

Parking

LAND USE CONSULTANTS Open space/Greenspace Private gardens and their contribution to streetscape character (incl. vegetation types & whether they respond to underlying influences such as geology and soils)

LAND USE CONSULTANTS Distribution of open spaces, interaction with built form & contribution to character. (incl. biodiversity; and vegetation types & whether they respond to underlying influences such as geology and soils)

LAND USE CONSULTANTS Views/ Landmarks Views and visual sequences incl. key views & inter-visibility

Landmarks/focal points

LAND USE CONSULTANTS Experience Vitality/tranquillity; comfort/threat active/dead frontages? Stimulating/boring

Day/night use (if possible)

LAND USE CONSULTANTS