M&S granted Judicial Review over Marble Arch redevelopment
Judicial Review was granted after the Secretary of State, Michael Gove, refused planning permission on grounds of heritage and environmental concerns
M&S has received permission from the High Court to apply for Judicial Review for the redevelopment of the retailer’s Marble Arch store.
The green light for Judicial Review comes after the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, refused planning permission for the retailer’s Central London flagship.
According to the retailer, it appealed to the High Court because it believed Gove “wrongly interpreted and applied planning policy to justify his rejection” of the retailer’s scheme.
Gove’s rejection was on grounds of heritage and environmental concerns.
Stuart Machin, CEO of M&S, said: “We are pleased that the Court has recognised the merits of our legal challenge on every one of the six counts that we raised, and approved our case to proceed to the next stage.
“We have been clear from the very start that the refurbishment of the existing store was not possible, so this is only the first step in the lengthy process of overturning the government’s senseless decision to reject our Marble Arch proposal – the only retail-led regeneration on Oxford Street.”
He added: “With our investment and the amazing plans we have to transform the site into a modern, sustainable building it remains bewildering that we are again having to go through this after two years of support and approvals. But we will do everything necessary to secure a better future at Marble Arch for our local customers and community.”