London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has championed the controversial redevelopment of Liverpool Street station at an international property conference.
Sir Sadiq promoted Network Rail’s revised proposal to finance the expansion of the UK’s busiest station by building a near-100m tall skyscraper over the concourse.
This was during his attendance at the Mipim conference in Cannes, where the mayor was showcasing a “London investment prospectus” drawn up by Opportunity London, an investment quango.
This is in spite of a coalition of conservation groups raising numerous concerns, including the loss of daylight and “major demolition” of the concourse.
About 28,000 people have signed a petition opposing the station redevelopment, which was reduced in size last year after an initial application sparked an even greater outcry.
As mayor of London, Sir Sadiq has the power to intervene in major planning applications.
He may now have to ask his deputy mayor for planning, Jules Pipe, to determine the Liverpool Street application after it is considered by the City of London Corporation.
A City Hall release accompanying the mayor’s trip said that at Liverpool Street, “Network Rail, working with Transport for London, plans to ensure the transport hub is fit for London’s future demand, alongside creating a new landmark office and retail”.
The mayor was showcasing Bow Goods Yard, Liverpool Street and the proposed redevelopment of Waterloo and Victoria railway stations during his appearances in Cannes.
Speaking ahead of his visit, Sir Sadiq said: “I'm attending the Mipim property conference to bang the drum for London.
“Attracting new investment for major housing and transport projects will be vital to boosting productivity and improving living standards in London and across the country.”
The Victorian Society, one of the groups that is part of the Liverpool Street Station Campaign (LISSCA), said the revamped plans were of “profound concern”.
In a statement to The Standard, James Hughes, director of The Victorian Society, said: "The Victorian Society is engaged in pre-application discussions on developing proposals for Liverpool Street Station. What has been shown to date is a source of profound concern.
“As envisaged, the height of the tower proposed directly over the station concourse, the extent of demolition of the existing station and the large amount of retail proposed within the historic train sheds would cause a serious level of harm to the station, its setting and the surrounding conservation area.
“While there is no question that the station requires upgrades to ensure its ongoing and adequate operation, over-station development and excessive retail development within the station itself is not the way to deliver them.
“The approach currently pursued for the redevelopment of the station is fundamentally flawed."
Asked about Sir Sadiq’s apparent endorsement of the Liverpool Street redevelopment, a mayoral spokesman said: “The mayor is in general backing Opportunity London’s work to seek investment across London and any forthcoming planning applications will be considered by City Hall on their merits in the usual way.”
The first plans for the station redevelopment, led by Shard developer Sellar, involved erecting a skyscraper that would have stood 21 storeys high on top of the station, part of which retains its Victorian heritage.
Last November, Network Rail withdrew its support for the Sellar plans and proposed a smaller alternative scheme – standing 97m tall rather than 108m.
The new building – to be erected on top of the station concourse - will have a “stepped” design to minimise the impact on St Paul’s cathedral and to prevent “dominating” the Andaz hotel underneath.
The station redevelopment would create “new landmark entrances” on Liverpool Street, Bishopsgate and Exchange Square, more ticket barriers, lifts and escalators and new toilets.
In addition, the giant departure board, which hangs above the concourse at a right angle to the platforms, would be removed and replaced with a line of smaller boards above each platform entrance.
At Mipim, the mayor was also seeking a development partner for a new mixed-use vision at Royal Albert Dock and at the Old Oak and Park Royal site in west London.
Last month Sir Sadiq launched the London Growth Plan. This sets out a blueprint to kickstart the capital’s productivity, which has flatlined since the 2008 financial crisis.
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