The HOK-designed, eight-storey development comprises 22 apartments, which will sit above the Fisher Street shaft – a single storey structure that provides access and ventilation to the below ground Crossrail tunnels.

Crossrail will now seek a development partner for the site, which sits close to the West End and the British Museum.

Ian Lindsay, Crossrail’s Land and Property Director said: “We are very pleased to gain planning consent to develop this much needed residential space.

“Building above the Fisher Street site is part of our strategy to regenerate areas all along the line and capture the value presented by the creation of Crossrail.

“It should be an attractive site for developers and ultimately a very attractive place to live in the middle of one of the world’s greatest cities.”

The Fisher Street scheme is one of several Crossrail over-site developments, delivering 3m sq ft of high-quality office, retail and residential space.

Planning permission has been secured for over 1m sq ft so far with schemes approved at sites including Bond Street West (Davies Street), 101 Moorgate and a number of developments above Crossrail Tottenham Court Road station.