Herzog & de Meuron proposals have attracted widespread criticism

One of the co-founders of Herzog & de Meuron has said he has “no problem” with criticism of the firm’s plans for a tall building over Liverpool Street station – provided it doesn’t overstep the mark.

The Swiss practice is behind highly contested £1.5bn proposals to transform Liverpool Street station which include a 15-storey tower above the grade II-listed Andaz hotel. Plans for the scheme were sent in for planning this spring.

Former RIBA presidents, celebrities and a host of heritage groups have all urged communities secretary Michael Gove to call in the scheme – which has yet to be validated by City of London planners.

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Pierre de Meuron (left) with practice co-founder Jacques Herzog

Critics have said the plans would set a “terrible precedent” for the treatment of listed buildings in conservation areas and for views of St Paul’s Cathedral.

In an said: “If people have issues of height, or mass, then they can point to Liverpool Steet as an example that can be criticised. I have no problem with that at all.”

The practice is also at the centre of a row in Paris which recently voted to ban tall buildings for a second time following a backlash against its controversial 48-storey Le Triangle tower.

In the interview, de Meuron added: “How do we deal with such criticism? We cannot escape it, believe me, and we try to speak openly about it. If the debate is on a good level and it’s not just bashing us then I don’t have a problem with that.

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A host of heritage groups have said the Liverpool Street plans (pictured) will be a blight on the area

“I don’t think this building harms the homogeneity or the beauty of Paris. In Liverpool [Street] station, yes, we have to think about heritage, we have to think about daylight in the concourse and we have to think about massing.”

A decision on the Liverpool Street, scheme, which is being developed by Sellar, is due next year.

Additional reporting Michael Hodges