High Court Reviews M&S's Legal Challenge Against Government's Block on Oxford Street Store Demolition

Marks & Spencer argues the decision to halt its flagship store's redevelopment is based on a misinterpretation of planning policy, threatening the future of the London West End location.

• Marks & Spencer's legal team contends that the government's decision to block the demolition of its Oxford Street store is based on a 'legally faulty misunderstanding' of national planning policy.
• The High Court hears that the refusal to allow demolition could lead to the store's closure, impacting the 'vitality and viability' of London's West End.
• Government and Save Britain's Heritage defend the decision, emphasizing a preference for refurbishing existing buildings to support a low-carbon future.
• M&S's proposed redevelopment includes a nine-storey building with retail space, a cafe, a gym, and an office, aiming to be one of London's most sustainable and energy-efficient buildings.
• The case has become a test over the balance between modernizing space and preserving urban heritage, with a decision expected to have wide implications for planning policy and the transition to Net Zero.

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