Town planning in London, planning proposals and applications, and planning decisions

The M&S application in Oxford Street has been rejected.

“Clearly this is a disappointing day for M&S but we hope they return with a revised scheme which meets the new tests presented by the climate emergency. Footfall on Oxford Street is improving and with our exciting plan for an overhaul of Oxford Street just launched, M&S can remain a powerful presence.”

Henrietta Billings, director of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, said: “This is a hugely important decision that rightly challenges the way we continually and needlessly knock down and rebuild important buildings across our towns and cities. Repurposing and converting buildings we cherish and saving thousands of tonnes of C02 in the process is a no brainer. This is a massive positive step and we salute the Secretary of State.”

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/marks-spencer-oxford-street-flashship-demolished-rejected-michael-gove-b1095682.html

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jul/20/marks-spencer-refused-permission-to-demolish-and-rebuild-oxford-street-store

While it is clearly a good decision, and Henrietta Billings 100% right, I wonder whether it really sets a precedent, or if there will be a swift reaction in enacting legislation to make this sort of decision impossible. It's unlikely given that it was rejected by Gove, but I still think the main reason why this application failed was the rubbish visual quality of the proposed new design, and that the environmental angle was probably the last remaining material consideration left in the planning system that had any purchase.

A comment on the idea of renovating instead of demolition, mainly about the Euston Tower:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/jul/09/euston-tower-london-redevelopment-plans-marks-and-spencer-m-and-s-oxford-street-dont-pull-them-down-renovate-british-land-3xn-dsdha-arup

Here's another thing Westminster are doing for Oxford Street:

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/oxford-street-business-store-free-rent-offer-candy-shop-westminster-council-b1095290.html