Plans to transform UK's busiest station approved

"A disfiguring billion-pound office block on top of a major heritage asset is not essential to the City's development plans. It is doubtful whether it will easily provide the profit to 'improve' the concourse, and can only realise a small amount of extra space for the passenger. Its focus is retail opportunities, which the commuter doesn't need. It will destroy an existing conservation area. It demolishes listed buildings. It is harmful to the surrounding historic fabric."

"Network Rail said its plans included improvements such an increasing overall concourse capacity by 76%, providing better passenger flow and step-free access from street level to all platforms, including London Underground lines. It said there would also be more lifts and escalators. The 1.2bn project involves building a mixed-use 97-metre (318ft) tower block over the concourse of what is the UK's busiest railway station. Network Rail insisted its plans respected the station's "unique heritage"."

"Actor Griff Rhys Jones, who is president of the Victorian Society and the Liverpool Street Station Campaign (Lissca), claimed it was a "sad day for the City of London". Rhys Jones accused the City of London of having "bowed to developer ambitions" and setting a "bad precedent" for London. Lissca said it had "the backing of thousands of supporters" and would "now await the decisions of the mayor of London and, if necessary, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government"."

City of London planning committee approved proposals to redevelop Liverpool Street station with a mixed-use 97-metre tower above the concourse. The 1.2bn project aims to increase overall concourse capacity by 76%, improve passenger flow, and provide step-free access from street level to all platforms, including London Underground lines. Plans include additional lifts and escalators. Network Rail stated the scheme respects the station's unique heritage. Opponents led by Griff Rhys Jones and Lissca argue the tower will disfigure a major heritage asset, destroy a conservation area, demolish listed buildings, prioritize retail over passenger needs, and set a harmful precedent. Lissca intends to seek mayoral or secretary of state review.

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