Crossrail and development partner Cardinal Lysander have received planning approval from the London Borough of Islington for an over-site development above the western entrance of Farringdon Crossrail station.

The 207,000 sq ft development, located at the corner of Cowcross Street and Farringdon Road, will comprise sixstoreys of high-quality office space, with retail units at street level. The building has been carefully designed to integrate with Crossrail's operating station and will also improve local views of St Paul's Cathedral.

Ian Lindsay, Crossrail Land and Property Director said: "By 2018 Farringdon will be one of Britain's busiest rail stations, connecting Crossrail, Thameslink and London Underground services. The developments will accelerate the area's regeneration, helping Farringdon re-emerge as a destination in its own right."

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Farringdon is at the heart of the Crossrail route and will be a key link in bringing passengers directly from within Greater London and beyond to the business hubs in the City and Canary Wharf. When complete, over 140 trains per hour will flow through the Farringdon interchange.

Farringdon Crossrail station will comprise two platform tunnels, each the length of two football pitches, linking two new ticket halls, and will be fully accessible from street to train.

The western ticket, hall shared with Thameslink services, will have an entrance on Cowcross Street, directly opposite Farringdon Tube station. The eastern ticket hall will have entrances at the Long Lane end of the station, on Lindsey Street and Hayne Street. It will also link directly with the existing London Underground platforms at Barbican station.

The Cowcross Street scheme is one of two over-station developments planned in the Farringdon area. In June, Crossrail submitted plans for a significant new commercial development at Lindsey Street to sit above the new Crossrail station eastern ticket hall, opposite the historic Smithfield Market.

The over-site developments are scheduled to commence during the latter stages of work to construct Farringdon Crossrail station. Crossrail will commence services in 2018.

(CD)