M&S challenges government decision on Marble Arch store proposal, sparking a legal battle.
- M&S plans involved demolishing an Art Deco building for redevelopment.
- Government rejection cited heritage, environmental concerns, and conservation area impact.
- M&S disputes decision, citing misinterpretation of planning policy.
- Legal action aims to counteract perceived misguided agenda against redevelopment.
M&S has initiated a legal challenge following the government’s refusal to approve its redevelopment proposal for the Marble Arch store. The retailer’s ambitious plans aimed to transform an aged and complex Art Deco building on Oxford Street, a move deemed necessary by its leadership to modernise the site.
The government, however, turned down the proposal, citing substantial concerns over the impact on local landmarks and conservation areas. The decision, made by Michael Gove, highlighted that the public benefits offered by the redevelopment did not sufficiently counterbalance the potential damage to the heritage site and the environmental costs involved.
Central to the government’s rejection was the project’s carbon footprint, alongside criticisms concerning the lack of efforts to retrofit existing structures. Yet, M&S CEO Stuart Machin strongly opposed the sustainability critique, arguing that their design would be among the top 1% of sustainable buildings within the city, substantially lowering energy use, water consumption, and achieving a carbon payback in just over a decade.
M&S operations director Sacha Berendji expressed frustration, claiming the decision relied on an incorrect application of planning policy. Berendji stated, “We have done this because we believe the secretary of state wrongly interpreted and applied planning policy, to justify his rejection of our scheme on grounds of heritage and environmental concerns.”
The legal challenge is positioned as a necessary step by M&S to counter what it perceives as a flawed and misguided approach to redevelopment objections based on heritage and environmental grounds. The company is committed to pursuing this challenge to the fullest extent possible, as part of its broader strategy to modernise its retail presence.
M&S remains resolved to contest the decision, advocating for their development plan’s potential benefits and sustainability merits.
