// Selfridges supports M&S plans to demolish and redevelop its Oxford Street store
// A two-week planning inquiry starts on Tuesday in Westminster
Selfridges’ new owners are supporting Marks & Spencer’s controversial plans to demolish and redevelop its Oxford Street store.
The planning inquiry into the controversial proposals is expected to begin this week.
The two-week inquiry, which starts on Tuesday in Westminster, will pit M&S and its Oxford Street neighbour Selfridges against environmental campaigners and historic building fans.
Those against the plans argue that the 90-year-old landmark store should be refurbished rather than knocked down.
Selfridges, which was bought out by the Thai conglomerate Central Group and Austrian company Signa Holding last month, “supports and endorses” the redevelopment of its neighbour, saying it has a role in “maintaining Oxford Street as the UK’s national shop window”.
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Selfridges’ comments come in a letter to the Planning Inspectorate overseeing the inquiry, which will put consideration of the carbon footprint of the redevelopment of a major building centre stage for the first time.
Opponents of the redevelopment say the scheme would release almost 40,000 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere.
Almost 5,000 people have signed a petition by the historic buildings campaign group SAVE Britain’s Heritage against the M&S proposal.
Westminster City Council has welcomed the inquiry.
It has said it is “serious about reducing the environmental impact of new development” but is also keen for M&S to stay on Oxford Street.
M&S argues that a refurbishment would not achieve the kind of experience modern shoppers want – potentially forcing it to move away from Oxford Street.
In April, Sadiq Khan said he would reconsider plans to demolish the flagship store on Oxford Street after backlash from the public. In January, architect Simon Sturgis wrote a report arguing that knocking down the building was inconsistent with tackling the climate crisis.
The new development will use a quarter of the current building’s energy, achieving a payback on investment in the first 17 years of its 100-plus years lifespan.
M&S has pledged that 95% of the materials in its existing Marble Arch building will be recovered, recycled or reused.
