Revised plans to overhaul Liverpool Street Station will reportedly be “substantially different” to the original scheme submitted with the City of London Corporation last year.
The news that changes were being made to the controversial proposal first came to light back in Spring, with the City of London telling the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) a “redesign process” had begun following the submission of more than 2,200 objections.
The Architects’ Journal (AJ) has now reported the fresh proposal will be “substantially different” to that filed in 2023, citing an anonymous City of London source.
A spokesperson for the station project, which is being led by Sellar and MTR working with Network Rail, said the scheme has been reviewed in response to “heritage concerns”.
They added the new proposal presents an “elegant and intelligent solution” which addresses the potential impact on historic assets.
The 2023 plans involved the partial demolition of the iconic Victorian station and construction of a 20-storey tower cantilevered above the neighbouring Grade-II* listed former Great Eastern Hotel, with new office and hotel space.
Improvements worth £450million were also included to the station itself, from more lifts and escalators to a new upper concourse and better step-free access.
The designs, drawn up by architectural firm Herzog & de Meruon, however drew a significant level of opposition.
In a submission to the City of London, Westminster City Council wrote the proposal would “harm the setting of St Paul’s Cathedral and will harmfully change an appreciation of this Strategically Important Landmark in views identified as being of strategic importance”.
“We believe the proposal would be contrary to the policies identified within the London Plan and the City of London Local Plan.”
Historic England, the Government’s heritage watchdog, wrote it objected to the scheme “in the strongest terms…which would cause extraordinarily high levels of harm to a number of designated heritage assets, some of the greatest importance”.
The reformed Liverpool Street Station Campaign, which is chaired by The Victorian Society and has actor and presenter Griff Rhys Jones as its president, urged Network Rail and Sellar to undergo a ‘root-and-branch review’ of the designs following the news they were to be revised.
The AJ further reported a new submission is not expected to go before the City of London until 2025, with a consultation planned for later this year.
A spokesperson for the Liverpool Street Station project said: “Herzog & de Meuron have been carefully reviewing the Liverpool Street redevelopment design in response to heritage concerns.
“Their revised proposals present an elegant and intelligent solution that integrates the station and hotel whilst addressing concerns about the potential impact on the historic assets. These assets are placed at the centre of the design, ensuring they are respected and preserved.
“The existing hotel will be retained and expanded as part of the new development, featuring new rooftop amenities, including a restaurant and spa. This is a heritage-led response that will also deliver a world-class station within a sustainable, mixed-use landmark destination for London.”
