A range of titles including the Financial Times, Daily Telegraph and The Times quote Claire Fallows on M&S receiving approval to demolish its flagship Oxford Street store

Marks and Spencer (M&S) will now knock down its flagship store on Oxford Street in London after receiving approval from UK housing secretary and deputy prime minister Angela Rayner.

M&S secured the approval following a long battle of more than three years. The retailer had been awaiting a decision since March when it won a legal challenge against the Conservative government, which had stopped it from demolishing the store to make way for a new store, restaurants, offices and a gym.

Claire Fallows, Partner and Head of Planning, unpicked the ruling and its implications in a range of national and trade publications, including the Financial Times, Daily Telegraph, The Times, Property Week and Property Wire. Claire comments:

With such politically charged factors at play, the decision has always been more about political messaging than it is about planning principles, ever since Gove rejected the scheme in 2023.

"A green light from Rayner is a strong political move: it seeks to frame Labour as a pro-business party willing to make controversial decisions to support retailers and rejuvenate the high street, amidst tough economic conditions for businesses.

"Heritage and environmental campaigners will no doubt protest the decision, but Labour has decided that potential harm caused by the development is clearly outweighed by public benefit, as the scheme will bring a brand-new retail hub with new office floorspace, driving regeneration in this part of Oxford Street and central London.

"This does not set a precedent for every scheme involving demolition and rebuild, as each must be considered on its facts. But this is a landmark decision indicative of a new era of decision making from the government on planning.

Read the full article in Property Wire here. Additional coverage below.

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Financial Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, Property Week