Marks & Spencer has claimed victory over its Marble Arch store plans after the High Court ruled Michael Gove’s decision to block the redevelopment was “unlawful”.
M&S launched an appeal to the secretary of state’s decision to reject its plans that would have seen the Art Deco building on Oxford Street demolished and replaced with a new 10-storey complex.
The High Court ruled in favour of the retailer’s assertion that Gove’s decision “misinterpreted and wrongly applied planning policy” by blocking the proposals. As a result of the decision, the secretary of state will have to make a new decision on the future of the store.
M&S operations director Sacha Berendji said: “Today’s judgment couldn’t be clearer: the court has agreed with our arguments on five out of the six counts we brought forward and ruled that the secretary of state’s decision to block the redevelopment of our Marble Arch store was unlawful.
“The result has been a long, unnecessary and costly delay to the only retail-led regeneration on Oxford Street that would deliver one of London’s greenest buildings, create thousands of new jobs and rejuvenate the capital’s premier shopping district.
“The secretary of state now has the power to unlock the wide-ranging benefits of this significant investment and send a clear message to UK and global business that the government supports sustainable growth and the regeneration of our towns and cities.”
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