M&S wins approval for Oxford Street store redevelopment

Under Marks & Spencer’s redevelopment plans its largest flagship, which currently occupies three buildings at 456-472 Oxford Street, will be rebuilt.

M&S will occupy just two and a half floors of the new 10-storey mixed-use building – rather than the five floors currently used – with the remaining floors acting as office space.

Councillors on the borough’s major planning applications sub-committee voted by five to one to support the redevelopment, despite a last-minute listing bid calling for the existing building complex, which is 90 years old, to be preserved due to its cultural heritage.

The proposed rebuild has also been criticised for contradicting Marks & Spencer’s sustainability aims as the new development will contain 39,500 tonnes of carbon, which would require 2.4 million trees to offset it.

M&S said 90% of the materials from its existing store would be reused to drive the new build’s carbon efficiency.

Sacha Berendji, M&S’ group property, store development and IT director, said: “M&S has a long history in Marble Arch and so we are pleased to receive approval for redevelopment.

“This means we will be able to serve the communities of the west end of Oxford Street from a modernised store offering the best of our products and services, and establish a building that positively contributes to our net-zero targets over the long term with strong sustainability credentials, which is another step forward in the transformation of our store estate to be fit for the future.”

Chair of planning at Westminster City Council Robert Rigby added: “We acknowledge the concerns that have been raised by those who opposed this scheme, but the committee felt reassured that the proposed building remains in keeping with the surrounding area and its heritage, and will add new life to this part of Oxford Street.

“We all want Oxford Street to thrive. The council is committed to transforming the area and securing the future of the nation’s high street, and the new M&S building will play an important role in ensuring Oxford Street remains a vibrant and key commercial street within the borough.”