City North

Handling third-party approvals from pre-planning to delivery

This project presented major site constraints due to its proximity to major Network Rail assets including an NR embankment and two London Underground Lines with platform tunnels running adjacent to the site.

Pre-planning, Walsh prepared the lengthy ‘Approval in Principle’ documentation (often referred to as Form 1). We successfully resolved 118 comments received from Network Rail to gain the necessary approvals required to give the project funders confidence.

The development had a significant interface with Finsbury Park station with an interchange between overground and underground rail services. The works included the removal of old foot tunnels and an earth embankment as well as the creation of a new station entrance and two new foot tunnel portals.

Walsh undertook all the necessary approvals with NR and TfL to enable the development, including oversight of the major temporary works and construction sequences required to ensure smooth delivery.

Another key challenge was the major sewer running through part of the site. Walsh designed an innovative solution to obtain a buildover consent and diversion agreement by providing Thames Water access under the site, without having to actually enter the site itself.

The development utilised MMC to accelerate the programme and achieved a BREEAM rating of Very Good.