Conserving and enhancing buildings and public spaces improves the quality of life for everybody. Westminster is committed to working with partners to promote high quality innovative design, in new buildings and public realm, including public art.
Westminster has also produced guidance on new design in the Design Matters SPG.
Public realm guidance
To ensure that the public spaces between buildings are also of exemplary quality, we have adopted 2 related Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) on:
- Westminster Way - Public Realm Strategy Design Practice and Principles
- Trees and the Public Realm - A Tree Strategy for Westminster
Westminster Way takes on board the methodology for assessing pedestrian footway capacity in the Mayor of London's guidance called 'Pedestrian Comfort Guidance for London'.
Public Art
Westminster's huge collection of contemporary and historic art in the public realm contributes to the unique and distinctive streetscape of Westminster and brings economic and educational benefits to the community.
Many of Westminster's historic statues and monuments are listed. We have produced a supplementary planning document (SPD) to provide guidance on proposals for new statues and memorials.