St George's Beaufort Park demonstrates how
innovative landscape design can transform a
previously redundant area. The 25 acre former RAF
site will incorporate 2,800 homes surrounded by treelined
boulevards, landscaped private courtyards and
new public parkland the size of Berkeley Square.
The developer's aim has been to create a high quality
contemporary development, to act as a catalyst for
the regeneration of Colindale and the local area. Landscape design by Broadway Malyan working with
contractor SJM Landscapes is at the heart of the
development concept.
A variety of trees line the boulevards. At the entrance
there are box headed trees while topiary and
phormium planting lines the commercial quarter.
Trees specified include red maple, West Himalayan
birch, holm oak, common hornbeam and magnolia.
Formal planting includes a mix of evergreen shrubs
and herbaceous planting such as Buxus cones,
Festuca, geraniums and red-edged Hebe.
Shrubs have been chosen for their year-round,
evergreen qualities, while mature trees give the
development a settled feeling that belies its newness.
Traditional materials such as Cornish granite add
elegance, while discreet ground-recessed uplighting
adds warmth at night time. Weather-resilient cast
stone benches and steel and hardwood seating are
sited across the development.
Private landscaped courtyards provide a physical and
visual amenity, where residents can relax. Each
courtyard has different features and varied planting to
give an individual character and sense of place, and
its own design based on the classic city square
concept.
The new public park has mature London plane trees
and an octagonal bandstand as its centrepiece.
Shrubs and ground cover such as blue fescue,
Adamís needle, lavender, New Zealand flax and rock
roses have been planted for their long term ecological
benefits as well as their ornamental effect. The park is
not only a relaxation area but is also a new
community space, hosting performances such as
that given by the Hendon Music Centre Senior Band. |
