M&S is on the brink of discovering the outcome for its Marble Arch flagship redesign plans.
- The Deputy Prime Minister will decide the fate of the renovation proposal by December 5.
- M&S aims to replace three existing buildings with a new 10-storey complex.
- The redevelopment has faced opposition due to concerns about local landmarks.
- A High Court ruling earlier this year overturned a previous block on the plans.
M&S is poised to learn whether its ambitious proposal to redevelop its Marble Arch site will proceed, with the decision expected by early December. Deputy Prime Minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner is tasked with this significant ruling.
The proposal includes demolishing three current structures to construct a new 10-storey building, combining retail and office spaces. This move aligns with M&S’s broader strategy to revitalise its physical presence and expand with ten more stores.
However, the plan has not been without controversy. In July, former housing secretary Michael Gove raised concerns about the development’s impact on nearby landmarks, including the Selfridges building, and blocked the proposal, citing insufficient public benefits to counterbalance the potential harm to these heritage sites.
M&S’s Chief, Stuart Machin, criticised Gove’s decision, describing it as ‘utterly pathetic’. He argued that the project had the support of Selfridges’ management and would significantly inject vitality into the area.
Earlier this year, M&S successfully challenged Gove’s decision in the High Court. Mrs. Justice Lieven found that there had been errors in interpreting planning policies, leading the way for the current pending decision. Since then, M&S has been waiting for the verdict on its appeal, which will determine the future of this major redevelopment project.
The impending decision on the Marble Arch site will be pivotal for M&S’s development ambitions.
