- High Street retailer wants to demolish and rebuild its Oxford Street store
- Last month, M&S said it was hopeful ministers would approve its plans “very soon”.
- But the July 4 election means the decision could take months to make.
Marks & Spencer will have to wait months to make a decision on plans for its London flagship store after the general election led to a further delay.
The High Street retailer wants to demolish and rebuild its Oxford Street store and last month said it hoped ministers would approve its plans “very, very soon”.
But the July 4 election means the decision may not be made for months after a new government has been formed.
It comes as the Mail can reveal Michael Gove’s Department of Levelling, Housing and Communities has spent £141,000 of taxpayers’ money on the planning dispute. That is the sum that has been spent on legal fees in the dispute since last year, according to a Freedom of Information disclosure.
M&S claims its store will revitalize Oxford Street, which has been plagued by tacky sweet shops. He wants permission to demolish the 1929 art deco building near Marble Arch in London and build a larger ten-storey office and commercial block. But he has been locked in a battle with Gove, who blocked the plans.
Delay: The refurbishment has been supported by companies such as department store Selfridges and furniture retailer Ikea.
M&S boss Stuart Machin has branded Gove’s decision “absolutely pathetic”. He accused it of “an anti-business approach, stifling growth and denying Oxford Street thousands of quality new jobs”.
Machin won a victory in March when High Court Judge Ms Lieven concluded that Gove had made a series of errors in his interpretation and application of planning policy.
The refurbishment has been supported by companies such as department store Selfridges and furniture retailer Ikea.
An M&S spokesperson said the plan would “give a much-needed boost to Oxford Street and send a clear message to developers that the regeneration of our towns and cities is a clear priority”.
