Marks & Spencer defines proposal for Marble Arch redevelopment during public inquiry

British department store Marks & Spencer has detailed an intricate proposal for the redevelopment of its Marble Arch store amid criticism from environmental and heritage activists.

Across an eight-day public inquiry, the retailer and expert witnesses laid out an analysis of its regeneration plan, involving demolishing the building, ultimately aiming to show that redevelopment was the only viable option to establish the site in regards to customer, colleague and community satisfaction.

Save Britain’s Heritage, the organisation that took Marks & Spencer to court and started a petition against the demolition of the store, accepted the retailer’s sustainability analysis, meaning no witnesses were called on the topic.

During the inquiry, Marks & Spencer presented an updated assessment, in which it said the plan should deliver a carbon payback in 11 years, with more reductions potentially possible.

According to the retailer, the scheme would use less than a quarter of the current structure, with around 95 percent of the existing building’s materials to be recovered, recycled or reused.

Next to the investment, the company also stated that the site would create over 2,000 new jobs and 10,000 square feet of new public realm.

The department store chain submitted its initial proposal two years ago, citing a poor store layout and negative sustainability performance as its reasoning for the scheme.

Through the modernisation of the building, Marks & Spencer said it would be bringing to the site an adaptable retail space and office environment, as well as a pocket park and pedestrian arcade.

Next to Westminster City Council, the plan has also been backed by major retailers and organisations such as Selfridges, Ikea and New West End Company.