Tomorrow, the City of London Corporation’s Planning Application Sub-Committee will convene to consider Network Rail’s application to re-develop London Liverpool Street Station. The full application details and supporting materials are available below:
This is probably the most technically complex application I’ve ever experienced as a Councillor. The station currently plays host to around 100 million visitors a year and that is set to grow significantly in the years ahead. The station is nationally significant infrastructure and responsible for helping to drive economic growth for the City and beyond. It is also no longer fit for purpose and classified as ‘managed decline’. There is water leaks throughout the building, it’s almost impossible to navigate if you are disabled or have a pram or heavy suitcase and the platforms and ticket points have huge crowds.
Everyone I have spoken to agrees it needs not just investment, but a wholesale rethink about what we need for the next generation to thrive.
Over the past couple of years, I have been working closely with Network Rail, Transport for London and development partners to walk through not only their designs, but their practical implementation through a complex construction, likely to last at least 8 years.
Thank-you to all of the residents and businesses who have reached out to share their views on the application. Also to the thousands of heritage conservationists who have emailed. Many of you have made excellent points. I will seek to distil them all before tomorrow and present my findings on balance.
I understand the Committee will hear from its Officers for 15 minutes, from objectors for 10 minutes (plus any follow-up questions), from supporters for 10 minutes (plus questions) and then I am afforded the honour of speaking last for 10 minutes to represent local community views.
So, let’s see what tomorrow brings! It could well be a historic moment for Bishopsgate.