M&S awaits a critical decision on its Marble Arch redevelopment proposal, set to transform its flagship location.
- The Deputy Prime Minister is set to make a final ruling on the planning proposal by early December.
- M&S plans include demolishing existing structures to establish a new 10-storey building with retail and office spaces.
- Previous plans were halted due to concerns about the impact on nearby historical landmarks.
- M&S successfully challenged a prior decision, seeking approval to rejuvenate the area.
M&S is on the verge of a significant transformation at its iconic Marble Arch site with a decision pending that could reshape the space dramatically. The retailer is waiting eagerly as Deputy Prime Minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner will announce her decision on whether to block or approve the company’s ambitious plans for redevelopment before or by 5 December.
At the heart of M&S’s proposal is the demolition of the current three buildings it occupies, to pave the way for a modern 10-storey structure. This new development would house updated retail space alongside new office blocks, indicating a major shift in the high street landscape.
However, the journey to this point has not been without challenges. Last July, former housing secretary Michael Gove halted the plans, citing concerns that the proposed benefits did not sufficiently outweigh the potential harm to nearby protected sites, including the Grade II listed Selfridges building and surrounding conservation areas.
In response, M&S Chief Executive Stuart Machin criticised the decision as ‘utterly pathetic’, emphasising that Selfridges’ management had backed the proposal as beneficial for local revitalisation. Machin underscores the importance of the redevelopment to breathe new life into the area, positively impacting the community and business alike.
M&S mounted a successful legal appeal against Gove’s ruling in March, with High Court Judge Mrs Justice Lieven finding the initial decision flawed due to errors in interpreting planning policies. Since then, M&S has been in limbo, awaiting the outcome of a crucial appeal that could set a precedent for future retail development projects.
M&S’s ambitious Marble Arch plans face a pivotal decision, with potential widespread implications for urban retail landscapes.
