Inventory Site Record

The Formosa Garden is a communal garden behind houses on Warrington Crescent, Castellain Road, Formosa Street and Sutherland Avenue. Until c.1980 much of this area was within the Paddington Estate of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, administered by Trustees. Developed in the mid C19th, much of the housing here had communal gardens provided for the use of occupiers of the surrounding houses. The large garden is triangular in shape and lined with plane trees, and has island beds set in lawn and a number of fine trees.

Site location:

Warrington Crescent, Castellain Road, Formosa Street, Sutherland Avenue

Postcode:

W9 1EZ

What 3 Words:

paint.clues.dreams

Type of site:

Private Garden

Borough:

Westminster

Open to public?

Occasionally

Opening times:

Has opened for OGSW. Otherwise private, for keyholders only
Has taken part in Open Garden Squares Weekend 18 times, most recently in 2023.

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo). Bus: 6, 46, 98, 187, 414

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/06/2009

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.formosaamenity.co.uk

Warrington Crescent, Castellain Road, Formosa Street and Sutherland Avenue were developed in the 1860s on land that was previously rural. The large garden is triangular in shape and lined with plane trees, and has island beds set in lawn and a number of fine trees. Until c.1980 the landowner of much of this area was within the Paddington Estate of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, administered by Trustees. Developed in the mid C19th, much of the housing here had communal gardens provided for the use of occupiers of the surrounding houses. Management of the garden was by a Committee of occupiers and the expenses of maintenance were assessed proportionately on each house, with the Trustees having the power to undertake maintenance in the case of neglect. When the Church Commissioners sold the freeholds of their property in the area, they drew up legal arrangements as a means of preserving the special character of these neighbourhoods, including the gardens. They set up 12 amenity companies, each having Deeds and with a Rent Charge, to cover 12 areas. In respect of Formosa Garden, the agreement was drawn up between the Commissioners and Formosa Amenity Limited in December 1981, which continues to manage the garden. There are a number of other communal gardens in the neighbourhood, The Crescent Gardens and The Triangle Garden (q.q.v.).

Sources consulted:

(OGSW booklets); Bridget Cherry and Nikolaus Pevsner, 'The Buildings of England London 3: North West', (1991, reprint 1999). See Formosa Amenity website, which includes copy of 1981 agreement between Church Commissioners and Formosa Amenity Ltd

Grid ref:

TQ259823 (525985,182298)

Size in hectares:

Site ownership:

private

Site management:

Robert Player (Managing agents: Pemberton's Residential Ltd)

Date(s):

1860s

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

LBII: Formosa Street south side Nos.1-5, 2-18 and Prince Alfred Public House; Warrington Crescent, east side Nos.1-49 and the Warrington Hotel, pair of K2 telephone kiosks, 1927 north of hotel; Warrington Crescent west side Nos. 4-36 and Colonnade Hotel;

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

Maida Vale

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Other LA designation:

None

Formosa Garden - Photo: Colin Wing
Date taken: 09/06/19 15:12

Click a photo to enlarge.

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