The public inquiry into Marks & Spencer’s plans to bulldoze its flagship store on Oxford Street, W1, begins today.
Selfridges’ new owners are backing the proposals, while environmental campaigners and historic building fans argue that the 90-year-old shop should be refurbished rather than knocked down.
A spokesperson for Selfridges, which was bought out by Thai conglomerate Central Group and Austrian real estate company Signa Holding last month, said the historic department store “supports and endorses” the redevelopment of its neighbour, saying it has a role in “maintaining Oxford Street as the UK’s national shop window”.
The 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.
The inquiry will be overseen by planning inspector David Nicholson, who recently blocked the 305-metre Tulip tower, EC3, partly on the grounds that its “highly unsustainable” use of concrete might set a “game-changing precedent”.
