Mr Gove was forced to reconsider his decision to block M&S's plans after a successful legal challenge. Photo: Paul Grover < p>Michael Gove must stand his ground and block Marks & Campaigners say the flagship Spencer's Marble Arch redevelopment is being carried out for the second time, despite the High Court forcing the Housing Secretary to reconsider the decision.
Henrietta Billings, director of SAVE Britain's Heritage, said the Housing Secretary's decision would be «entirely justified». » once again rejecting M&S's request to demolish its flagship building in Oxford Street.
Mr Gove rejected the plans last year, and SAVE Britain's Heritage said he would be free to do the same output and block the project a second time. The Housing Secretary was forced to reconsider his decision following a successful legal challenge by M&S.
Ms Billings said: «M&S's destructive plans were conceived more than six years ago and they are becoming increasingly outdated.
» Much has changed since then, from our understanding of the impact of demolition and rebuilding from scratch to the wider public interest in this matter and a growing awareness of the need for change.
In a letter to Mr Gove, seen by The Telegraph, SAVE Britain's Heritage said events since the original decision had contributed to the continued blocking of the scheme.
p>They pointed to proposals currently being discussed at Westminster Council that could block the bulldozing. properties that could instead be improved by renovation.
M&S plans to demolish its flagship building on Oxford Street . Photo: Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Rival retailers near the M&S Marble Arch store have been able to revitalize outdated stores, which campaigners say casts doubt on the department store's claim that it cannot modernize the Marble Arch building.
Ms Billings said that they appeared. «There is no shortage of desire to reuse such buildings.»
The comments came in response to Mr Gove's call for evidence following the reopening of an investigation into the proposed redevelopment. M&S is also understood to have submitted new evidence to the Secretary of State in support of its project.
Sacha Berendji, M&S's chief operating officer, said there was «nothing new in introducing SAVE» and said the retailer had provided a legal commitment to reduce its carbon emissions from construction. M&S has also provided new analysis of the heritage and importance of the scheme.
Mr Berendi added: «We hope that, based on this new evidence, the Secretary of State will approve the scheme and demonstrate that this Government supports sustainable investment in Britain's high streets and town centres.»
The new review follows. A High Court ruling in March found Mr Gove's original decision to block the project unlawful.
Mr Gove argued that the project «would fail to support the transition to a low-carbon future and would generally discourage the reuse of existing resources, including refurbishment of existing buildings.”
However, the High Court judge agreed with M&S that Mr Gove had «misinterpreted and misapplied planning policy» by blocking the scheme.
Ms Justice Lieven said the Housing Secretary had «failed to get his head around in the consequences.» refusal,” with the independent inspector “raising the possibility that unless significant changes were made to the store, it could be occupied by a number of merchants, including American confectionery and luggage stores.”
M& S was successful in meeting five of its six objectives.
The project sparked months of bitter debate between the government and M&S, with Stuart Machin, the retailer's chief executive, saying last year that the decision was «anti-business». Writing in The Telegraph, he said it would have a «chilling effect» on investment across the country.
A spokesman for the Department of Cohesion, Housing and Communities said: «We accept the decision and have begun the process.» override this application. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.»
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