Policy information sourced from the Westminster City Plan

34. Green infrastructure

A: The council will protect and enhance the city’s green infrastructure to maximise its environmental, social and economic value.

CITY GREENING

B: Developments will, wherever possible, contribute to the greening of Westminster by incorporating trees, green walls, green roofs, rain gardens and other green features and spaces into the design of the scheme.

OPEN SPACE

C: All open spaces and their quality, heritage and ecological value, tranquillity and amenity will be protected.

D: Major developments will be required to provide new or improved public open space and space for children’s active play, particularly in areas of open space or play space deficiency.

E: Development affecting the Royal Parks should enhance their quality and range of uses.

BIODIVERSITY AND ACCESS TO NATURE

F: Sites of Importance for Natural Conservation (SINCs), priority habitats and other ecological features outside of the SINCs network will be protected.

G: Developments should achieve biodiversity net gain, wherever feasible and appropriate. Opportunities to enhance existing habitats and create new habitats for priority species should be maximised. Developments within areas of nature deficiency should include features to enhance biodiversity, particularly for priority species and habitats.

TREES

H: Trees of amenity, ecological and historic value and those which contribute to the character and appearance of the townscape will be protected.

I: The planting of trees to optimise the city’s canopy cover will be encouraged in new developments.

For more information please see the City Plan