The Secretary of State for Levelling Up’s called-in decision to refuse planning permission for a new flagship Marks & Spencer (M&S) store in London has been quashed by the High Court, in a decision that comes after a two-day appeal to challenge last year’s ruling, seen also as a landmark case for demolish and rebuild projects.
image for illustration: Gary Rogers / Marks and Spencer Commons Wikimedia
M&S writes:
M&S Operations Director, Sacha Berendji: “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 which 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.”
For the legal context see Local Government Lawyer
