Buckley Gray Yeoman has been appointed by Transport for London to redevelop one of London’s busiest Tube stations.

The architect has launched a public consultation on its proposals for South Kensington station which, at 1865, is one of the oldest on the network.

BGY is the latest in a series of architects that have worked on the station, the frequently over-crowded gateway to the big museums of South Ken. Others include Farrells in 1994 and John McAslan & Partners.

Previous proposals fell foul of local campaigners who objected to a proposed office tower and the loss of the station’s famous Victorian arcade.

This project will include a new station entrance, enlarged ticket hall and a one-storey extension to the arcade. A disused platform will be brought back into use linked to the main platforms by a new footbridge.

The “bullnose” of the station will be remodelled to provide better retail spaces and to remove the redundant area taken by former smoke vents from the track below.

And new development is planned on Pelham Street to replace a wall and hoardings – which have been in place for 40 years backing on to the tracks – with active frontages.

Changes to the terrace along Thurloe Street will facilitate step-free access to the Exhibition Road subway which leads all the way from the station to the museums.

A planning application is due in around the end of the year with construction expected to start in 2018.