M&S plans to demolish Oxford Street store refused by Michael Gove

M&S
Marks & Spencer on Oxford Street in central London lit up for Christmas Credit: M&S

Marks & Spencer has been refused permission to knock down and redevelop its flagship shop on London’s Oxford Street after opposition from Michael Gove. M&S boss Stuart Machin said the decision is “utterly pathetic” and means the company will review its future on the historic shopping street. The Communities Secretary launched a public inquiry into proposals to flatten the 1929 Art Deco building near Marble Arch and replace it with a much larger 10-storey retail and office block last year after the plans had received support from local authorities. On Thursday, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities confirmed that Mr Gove disagreed with the recommendation from inspectors to approve the plans and had “decided to refuse permission”. The Government report raised concerns that its public benefits were offset by the potential harm to nearby heritage landmarks and criticised the environmental impact of the redevelopment. Mr Gove found that additional storeys of offices would be more apparent than the current site and have a “significantly detrimental impact on the setting of Selfridges” department store nearby. The carbon footprint and failure to reuse some existing resources was also considered a reason for permission to be blocked.

The report raised concerns that its public benefits were offset by the potential harm to nearby heritage landmarks Credit: M&S

In response, M&S chief executive Stuart Machin said: “After a two-year process where our proposals were supported at every stage, our investment in 2,000 jobs, building one of the most sustainable buildings in London, improving the public realm and creating a flagship store, is now effectively in the deep freeze. “Today the Secretary of State has ignored his appointed expert David Nicholson who recommended approval of our scheme. “When 42 of the 269 shops on what should be our nation’s premier shopping street sit vacant, disregarding the expert opinion and approval of the appointed planning inspector and playing to the gallery by kiboshing the only retail-led regeneration proposal is a short-sighted act of self-sabotage by the Secretary of State and its effects will be felt far beyond M&S and the West End. “The nation’s fragile economic recovery needs Government to give confidence to sustainable regeneration and investment as well as following due process; in London and across the UK. “Today the Secretary of State has signalled he is more interested in cheap shot headlines than facts and if it weren’t so serious it would be laughable. “We have been clear from the outset that there is no other viable scheme – so, after almost a century at Marble Arch, M&S is now left with no choice but to review its future position on Oxford Street on the whim of one man. It is utterly pathetic.”

Geoff Barraclough, Westminster City Council’s cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “The Marks & Spencer application had significant implications for the environment so it was right the case should be tested robustly. “The council’s position is to encourage landowners to refurbish buildings, not demolish them. “Clearly this is a disappointing day for M&S but we hope they return with a revised scheme which meets the new tests presented by the climate emergency. “Footfall on Oxford Street is improving and with our exciting plan for an overhaul of Oxford Street just launched, M&S can remain a powerful presence on Oxford Street.”

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