Historic England has said it is “deeply concerned” about emerging proposals for a redevelopment of Liverpool Street Station in London.
The comments follow proposals shared by Network Rail and its development partner, Sellar, which include new works to the existing listed station and neighbouring Great Eastern Hotel.
The organisation has said it would “make a very strong objection if such a scheme were taken forward to a planning application.”
Sellar’s proposal includes a £450 million programme of significant infrastructure works. It said the station currently “suffers from significant overcrowding, poor pedestrian accessibility and connectivity into and within the station.”
The company, which previously developed The Shard, said historic elements and façade of the Grade II listed Andaz hotel, which originally opened as the Great Eastern hotel in 1884, will be “sensitively restored” and that existing memorials such as the Great War memorial and other statues will also be” conserved and given more prominence”.
But Historic England said the proposed redevelopment of the station “would have a severe impact on the Bishopsgate Conservation Area, and more widely on the extraordinary historic character of the City of London.”
“The scheme would trample on the listed station and hotel rather than showcase their heritage,” the company wrote.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England called the proposals “oversized and insensitive development is surely not the answer.”
Wilson continued: “We believe that this scheme is fundamentally misconceived and misses the opportunity to unlock real public benefits while also enhancing the station’s heritage.
“We will work collaboratively with Network Rail and developers Sellar in the hope that together we can achieve a better design outcome.”
