Liverpool Street station plans backed despite opposition from heritage groups

Plans to redevelop one of London’s busiest railway hubs moved closer to approval this week after planning officers recommended backing major Liverpool Street station plans, despite sustained opposition from heritage groups and members of the public.

The proposals, submitted by Network Rail, include building a 19-storey office block above the Grade II-listed station and partially demolishing parts of the existing structure. City of London Corporation councillors are due to consider the plans on 10 February.

More than 2,000 objections have been lodged against the scheme, alongside around 1,100 letters of support. Critics include the actor and comedian Griff Rhys Jones, who has publicly questioned whether the scale of development is justified.

Network Rail argues that the Liverpool Street station plans are necessary to address capacity and accessibility pressures at the station, which was named the UK’s busiest last year. The company says the redevelopment would modernise facilities while supporting the City of London’s long-term growth.

Ellie Burrows, managing director for Network Rail’s eastern region, told planners that the project was designed “for passengers, and for the City of London to support its growth ambitions”.

Following earlier criticism, Network Rail revised the proposals. The height of the tower was reduced, the building realigned to avoid interference with the neighbouring Great Eastern Hotel, and station entrances were redesigned. Landscaping and seating were also added around the Kindertransport statue.

Even so, the plans still involve demolishing the Bishopsgate and Hope Square entrances and removing part of the 1990s-era roof above the main concourse. Network Rail says the redevelopment would introduce fully accessible routes throughout the station and significantly increase passenger capacity.

Opposition has focused on the impact on the historic fabric of the station and its surroundings. St Paul’s Cathedral has objected, saying it remains “deeply concerned regarding the potential for harm that would arise from the scheme, both in the short and the long term”.

Griff Rhys Jones, who is president of the Victorian Society, criticised the premise behind the proposals. “Network Rail have claimed they cannot improve Liverpool Street station without building a 20-storey building directly on top of it,” he said. “If that’s the case, it’s a very sad day for Britain. It’s a very sad day for the City of London.”

In reports prepared for councillors, planning officers acknowledged that the Liverpool Street station plans would result in the loss of “significant historic fabric”, causing harm to the station’s heritage significance. However, they concluded that the benefits outweighed that harm.

The officers wrote that the scheme would “significantly upgrade Liverpool Street station and deliver density in a suitable and sustainable location”, adding that the impacts had been “clearly and convincingly justified”.

Historic England has submitted detailed comments on the proposals but has not formally objected.

Major transport developments involving listed buildings are assessed under national planning policy governing heritage assets, which sets out how decision-makers must weigh public benefit against harm to historic significance, as defined in the National Planning Policy Framework.

If approved by the City of London, the Liverpool Street station plans will still require sign-off from the Mayor of London and the Communities Secretary, Steve Reed, before they can proceed.

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