Government decision on M&S Marble Arch rebuild delayed

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Apr 28, 2023

M&S has been talking up its plans for its London stores and continuing to tout the sustainability benefits of its plan for its Marble Arch flagship. But a decision on whether it can go ahead seems to have been delayed.

The redevelopment scheme for the store has attracted some opposition and a decision on whether it would be allowed to proceed had been due early next month.

But now, Levelling Up, Housing and Communities minister Michael Gove is not making a decision until late inJuly.

An official letter has been sent to M&S saying that “further time is required to consider this case,” although no explanation has been given as to why the extra time is needed.

Heritage and environmental groups have objected to the plan to knock down and rebuild the 1930s mega-branch. But it had originally been approved back in 2021 and was backed by the Mayor of London as well as being supported by neighbouring retailers.

M&S has been very vocal on the issue saying the building contains large amounts of asbestos and that the mooted replacement would be hugely sustainable. It has also said that the current building is fundamentally unsustainable and its already poor energy efficiency will continue to deteriorate.