Controversial proposals to redevelop London Liverpool Street railway station have been granted planning permission by the City of London Corporation, despite significant opposition from heritage campaigners. The £1.2 billion project, which involves constructing a 97-metre mixed-use tower block above the station concourse, has sparked fierce debate about balancing modernisation with historical preservation.
Heritage Campaigners Voice Strong Opposition
Actor Griff Rhys Jones, who serves as president of both the Victorian Society and the Liverpool Street Station Campaign (Lissca), described the approval as "a sad day for the City of London." He argued that the development represents "a disfiguring billion-pound office block on top of a major heritage asset" that is not essential to the City's development plans.
Rhys Jones expressed particular concern about the project's impact on the surrounding area, stating: "It will destroy an existing conservation area. It demolishes listed buildings. It is harmful to the surrounding historic fabric." He further accused the City of London of having "bowed to developer ambitions, set a bad precedent for London and ignored the user."
Network Rail Defends Heritage-Sensitive Approach
Network Rail has strongly defended its proposals, insisting they have been carefully designed to safeguard Liverpool Street's unique heritage. The organisation emphasised that the Victorian trainshed will remain completely untouched by the development.
Ellie Burrows, managing director for Network Rail's Eastern region, stated: "This decision represents a key step towards the transformation of Britain's busiest station and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Liverpool Street. Our plans focus on improving the everyday experience for passengers whilst respecting the station's unique heritage."
Significant Passenger Benefits Promised
Network Rail has outlined numerous improvements that the redevelopment will deliver for passengers using what remains the UK's busiest railway station. The project promises to increase overall concourse capacity by 76 percent while significantly improving passenger flow throughout the station complex.
Key enhancements include:
- Step-free access from street level to all platforms, including London Underground lines
- Additional lifts and escalators throughout the station
- Unlocking new views over the Victorian architecture
- Future-proofing the station for projected passenger growth
Annual passenger numbers at Liverpool Street are forecast to grow to 158 million in coming years, with recent figures from the Office of Rail and Road showing 98.0 million entries and exits in the year to March 2025.
Planning Approval Process and Next Steps
The controversial plans were originally submitted in 2023 but underwent significant adaptation in November 2024 following thousands of objections from concerned citizens and heritage organisations. Despite these modifications, opposition has remained steadfast.
Tom Sleigh, chairman of the City of London Corporation planning and transportation committee, welcomed the approval, describing it as "a late, but very welcome Christmas present for the nation." He added: "The soaring brick arches and bold architecture will cement Liverpool Street's status as a modern temple to transport."
The Liverpool Street Station Campaign has indicated it will now await decisions from the Mayor of London and potentially the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government before determining its next course of action. The organisation claims to have the backing of thousands of supporters who share concerns about the development's impact on London's architectural heritage.
